The term was invented by Shakespeare in his tragedy Hamlet. To be “cruel to be kind” is to cause someone pain for his or her own good. Telling someone something that will hurt them because it's better for them in the long run. It appears like you're trying to hurt them when in fact, you're looking out for their best interest.
SweetCheeks2, a scenario of "cruel to be kind" would be that you're out in a club and see your best friend's partner passionately making out with someone else. You know that your friend is under the impression their relationship is monogamous. So keeping your mouth shut and minding your own business would be "kind" because you know this information would hurt your friend but telling your friend what you saw would be "cruel to be kind" because the information would hurt your friend but she or he would be aware of the truth and able to make an informed decision...
SweetCheeks2, a scenario of "cruel to be kind" would be that you're out in a club and see your best friend's partner passionately making out with someone else. You know that your friend is under the impression their relationship is monogamous. So keeping your mouth shut and minding your own business would be "kind" because you know this information would hurt your friend but telling your friend what you saw would be "cruel to be kind" because the information would hurt your friend but she or he would be aware of the truth and able to make an informed decision to stay with that person or not. If your friend decides not to stay he or she might find a partner who is more honest and they can negotiate a relationship that works for them both. In this way your "cruelty" of giving your friend the negative information would help them in the long run. You would be being "cruel to be kind" because you love your friend and are looking out for their best interest. Another example might be not starting a relationship with someone who's interested in you because you know you're not right for them and they deserve to be with a more appropriate person for them. It might hurt that person initially but it's better for them in the long run. In these examples, hurting someone is a way of caring for them and showing love to them. I would say that MOST "don't subscribe to it" because many prefer to stay uninvolved rather than be a messenger of bad news...or have that fling with someone who you know should not be with you [because you're selfish and attracted to them] then dump them once you've had your fun. I prefer to be honest up front. Even if it hurts someone temporarily, honesty is kinder in my opinion.
The term was invented by Shakespeare in his tragedy Hamlet. To be “cruel to be kind” is to cause someone pain for his or her own good. Telling someone something that will hurt them because it's better for them in the long run. It appears like you're trying to hurt them when in fact, you're looking out for their best interest.
Was it really? Cool. I understand the sentiment but don't subscribe to it. You interpreted it perfectly.
Was it really? Cool. I understand the sentiment but don't subscribe to it. You interpreted it perfectly.
SweetCheeks2, a scenario of "cruel to be kind" would be that you're out in a club and see your best friend's partner passionately making out with someone else. You know that your friend is under the impression their relationship is monogamous. So keeping your mouth shut and minding your own business would be "kind" because you know this information would hurt your friend but telling your friend what you saw would be "cruel to be kind" because the information would hurt your friend but she or he would be aware of the truth and able to make an informed decision...
SweetCheeks2, a scenario of "cruel to be kind" would be that you're out in a club and see your best friend's partner passionately making out with someone else. You know that your friend is under the impression their relationship is monogamous. So keeping your mouth shut and minding your own business would be "kind" because you know this information would hurt your friend but telling your friend what you saw would be "cruel to be kind" because the information would hurt your friend but she or he would be aware of the truth and able to make an informed decision to stay with that person or not. If your friend decides not to stay he or she might find a partner who is more honest and they can negotiate a relationship that works for them both. In this way your "cruelty" of giving your friend the negative information would help them in the long run. You would be being "cruel to be kind" because you love your friend and are looking out for their best interest. Another example might be not starting a relationship with someone who's interested in you because you know you're not right for them and they deserve to be with a more appropriate person for them. It might hurt that person initially but it's better for them in the long run. In these examples, hurting someone is a way of caring for them and showing love to them. I would say that MOST "don't subscribe to it" because many prefer to stay uninvolved rather than be a messenger of bad news...or have that fling with someone who you know should not be with you [because you're selfish and attracted to them] then dump them once you've had your fun. I prefer to be honest up front. Even if it hurts someone temporarily, honesty is kinder in my opinion.