Imagine - if you can - not having a conscience, none at all, no feelings of guilt or remorse no matter what you do, no limiting sense of concern for the well being of strangers, friends or even family members. Imagine no struggles with shame, not a single one in your whole life, no matter what kind of selfish lazy, harmful or immoral action you had taken. And pretend that the concept of responsibility is unknown to you, except as a burden others seem to accept without question like gullible fools. Now add to this strange fantasy the ability to conceal from other people that your psychological makeup is radically different from theirs. Since everyone simply assumes that conscience is universal among human beings, hiding the fact that you are conscience free is nearly effortless. You are not held from any of your desires by guilt or shame and you are never confronted by the others for your coldbloodedness. The ice water in your veins is so bizarre so completely outside of their personal experience that they seldom even guess at your condition.
Martha Stout, Sociopath next door
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