Vitriol, is harsh, full of bitterness and hate words spewed out of someone’s mouth intent to destroy you. My friend calls it the diarrhea of the mouth.
John M. GOTTMAN is an American Psychologist and professor. He uses the four horsemen in the book of Revelation as metaphors.
CONTEMPT is the first Horseman. He said that contempt is like sulfuric acid that kills love.
Contempt is more than criticism or saying something negative. It’s when one asserts that they are smarter, have better morals, or are simply a better human being than the other. The partner on the receiving end feels unworthy and unloved. For example, continually interrupting the other person or putting them down, is disrespectful. It’s also the backhanded jokes.
Contempt is basically saying, “I’m better than you and you are less than me.”
I understood why I left a very toxic marriage and toxic relationships with narcissistic individuals who are dripping with oil of vitriol. Sometime it’s not so much in words but body language.
I found it was easier to forgive them; but for self-preservation I choose to stay away.
Shakespeare says, “Teach not thy lip such scorn, for it was made for kissing, lady, not for such contempt.” SHAKESPEARE
David sang, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight oh LORD, my Strength and my Redeemer.
I know death is inevitable. So I ask myself, “Have I lived it well?”