It is less of a problem to be poor than to be dishonest.

Native American saying

Manipulated again (you guessed it) by a manipulator. I have worked with many who lack a conscience, and have been bamboozled many times. I mean, after a while, sometimes a long while, I get it, and by then it is sometimes too late to prevent damage to my self-esteem, reputation, or pocketbook.

I say reputation because these folks are adept at making you appear to be the bad guy; they want you to feel guilty for something, anything, so that you will be on the defensive and less attuned to their next scam coming down the pike.

I want to believe that everyone is good at heart, everyone truthful. It is not so.

From Hitler to the Wall Street rip off artist, to a predatory lender, to some of our extreme right pundits, to a drug dealing gang leader, to a violent pimp, to a boss at work, to your common criminal or serial killer, we are talking the same mindset.

Now, have I ever manipulated or used anyone? Have I ever cheated or lied? Well, yes. But when I did, eventually I suffered tremendous remorse, and sought to change my behavior.

The "no conscience" people don't give a damn, ultimately, about anyone else, and have no intention of changing. It is foolish to deny this reality.

There are dangerous people in the world. When I encounter one, I sometimes conclude that I am no match for them, and act on this thought:

It is sometimes wise to flee in the face of evil.