“No, it’s not my fault…”
That was the guy’s conclusion.
Followed by the thought to make the other pay by tenfold.
Just because he was unable to self-reflect on his actions and learn from his mistakes.
It’s a common trope in a genre I like reading.
While it’s been exaggerated for the story, it’s so common with humans.
Probably the reason why stories resonate so much with us.
Objectively seen, it was the guy’s fault, aka mistake.
Getting pissed off by something the other person didn’t even do.
Then projecting everything on that person anyway.
Bickering and plotting against that person all the time.
Getting thrown out of the group after setting an idiotic ultimatum.
Trying once again to plot against that person.
In the end, he got defeated and lost big.
Of course, that’s a story.
The bad guys get what they deserve, and the main character wins.
In reality, it’s not that clear or spectacular.
Giving others the fault for one’s own mistakes comes with consequences.
Most of the time, the folks aren’t even aware of those consequences.
But if you look elsewhere for fault, you’ll always miss the most essential place.
Yourself.
Or, like we say in German, “Kehr erst mal vor deiner eingenen Tür”, roughly translates as “Clean in front of your own door first”.
This means to look first at your own shit before you pinpoint it to somebody else.
Whatever mistakes you make, before blaming anybody, always remember that you’re the central point of the mistake.
You’re always there when a mistake happens.
Better to accept it, learn from it, move on, and make it better next time.
How often do you look for the fault elsewhere?