Peter Hitchens is an English author, broadcaster, journalist and commentator who, as a foreign correspondent, has in the past reported from both Moscow and Washington. In his 2010 book, “The Rage Against God,” he recounts his ideological and spiritual journey from extreme leftist Marxism-Trotskyism and atheism to right-wing conservatism and faith. He now is a proponent of a strong nation-state, and a social order grounded in Christian morality, duty, and self-restraint. [en.wikiedia.org.]

It is odd, then — being diametrically opposed as I am to nearly everything Peter Hitchens stands for — that I would stumble upon the perfect quote on any subject among his writings. While the specific work is not cited, I found this commentary on mid-20th-century tyrants on goodreads.com, and was struck by its relevance, not only to today’s Russian and North Korean leaders, but to one much closer to home as well:

“Stalin and Kim [presumably Kim Il-Sung] made human idols of themselves because they believed, as utopian idealists always do, in the ultimate goodness of themselves and the unchallengeable rightness of their decisions. There was no higher power, and so there could be no higher law. If people disagreed with them, it was because those people were in some way defective — insane, malignant, or mercenary. The rulers could not tolerate actual religion, because they could not tolerate any rival authority or any rival source or judge of goodness, gratitude, and justice.”

*. *. *

While not in itself a psychiatric or psychological diagnosis, “malignant” narcissism is considered a severe and potentially dangerous form of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), characterized by such symptoms as:

> Seeking power and control, aggression, risk-taking;
> Enjoyment in hurting others, extreme cruelty;
> Exhibiting charm but lacking remorse;
> Paranoia;
> Needing a scapegoat due to inability to accept blame;
> Dehumanization of others;
> Grandiosity, entitlement, and lack of empathy;
> Disregard for the rights of others.

NPD can appear anywhere in the world, among people of all classes. Where those people do not belong is at the head of any nation’s government; but sadly, their disorder is precisely what drives them to seek, achieve and maintain positions of supreme power.

And we all pay the price for it.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/18/25