When we encounter endless attempts to criticize those around us, it often turns out that behind such judgments lie deep internal insecurities and flaws we remain unaware of in ourselves.

Mirror of Insecurity: How Criticism Reflects Our Inner Struggles

When we encounter endless attempts to criticize those around us, it often turns out that behind such judgments lie deep internal insecurities and flaws we remain unaware of in ourselves. This phenomenon can be viewed as a psychological mechanism: in accusing others, we inadvertently mirror the traits we overlook within ourselves. Behavior rooted both in hereditary predispositions and in the peculiarities of upbringing—where children are taught early to suppress anger—later transforms into a strategy for relieving inner tension. A high emotional dynamism means that blaming others is perceived as a way to temporarily justify one's own shortcomings, allowing one to feel superior in moments of emotional mismanagement. Ultimately, the path to true freedom begins with acknowledging one’s vulnerabilities, when negative attitudes towards others become a signal for self-improvement rather than a tool for reproach.

Why, in your opinion, do some people tend to criticize others even if they haven't been personally wronged?

Some people tend to criticize others not because they were personally hurt by them, but because mechanisms inherent within themselves compel them to view the world through the lens of their own shortcomings and insecurities. Firstly, there is the idea that when we condemn the faults of others, we are inadvertently projecting onto them what we fail to notice in ourselves. As the holy fathers note, “If a person does not understand what lies and hypocrisy are, they can be easily deceived... And if a person harbors envy and thievery in their soul, then everyone around them will inevitably appear to be envious and thieving as well. Thus, when we pass judgment on someone, we are essentially sentencing ourselves: by seeing sin in someone else, it means that sin is also within us…” (source: link txt).

Furthermore, the causes of such behavior may include both hereditary factors and the nuances of upbringing. Some children learn from an early age to direct their anger inward, and later this tendency manifests as criticism of others when they face difficulties in managing their own emotions. It is said: “The reasons for such behavior in people are ambiguous. Genetic predisposition plays a role as well: certain personality types are more inclined to internalize anger... The reaction of the remaining 75 percent will be the opposite: they ‘identify with the aggressor,’ meaning they will mimic their parents and blame someone else…” (source: link txt).

Thus, criticism can serve as a way to alleviate internal discomfort, as a person, unaware of their own faults, finds solace in blaming others. This allows them to feel temporarily superior, though in reality it is merely a reflection of unresolved inner conflicts and deficiencies.