Rationalization

AA Thought for Today

There are cases where our ancient enemy, rationalization, has stepped in and has justified conduct which was really wrong. The temptation here is to imagine that we had good motives and reasons when we really didn't.

We "constructively criticized" someone who needed it, when our real motive was to win a useless argument. We sometimes hurt those we love because they need to be "taught a lesson," when we really want to punish. . . . This odd trait of mind and emotion,this perverse wish to hide a bad motive underneath a good one, permeates human affairs from top to bottom.

-- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 94