“To make oneself hated is more difficult than to make oneself loved.”
- October 25, 1881 – April 8, 1973
- Born in Spain
- Painter, sculptor, printmaker
- Founder of Cubism, he had a revolutionary influence on 20th century art, leaving behind masterpieces such as “Guernica”
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Quote
“To make oneself hated is more difficult than to make oneself loved.”
Explanation
In this quote, Picasso suggests that while many people may seek love and admiration, achieving hatred is often more complex and challenging. This reflects the idea that love is a more natural human emotion—people are often drawn to kindness, compassion, or shared values. In contrast, hatred is a deeper, more intense emotion that typically requires provocation or sustained negativity. Picasso may be hinting at the effortlessness with which one can attract affection, and the deliberate actions or extreme circumstances that are often required to cultivate strong resentment or hostility. This perspective also underscores that people tend to gravitate towards what is positive and comforting, while hatred comes from a more forceful or antagonistic position.
In modern society, this idea still holds relevance, particularly in the context of public figures or leaders, who can quickly garner admiration or love due to their achievements, charisma, or actions, but it often takes a more concerted effort to earn widespread dislike. The modern media landscape, with its instant public scrutiny and attention, demonstrates that hatred or controversy often requires a consistent series of actions that cross social boundaries or moral lines. The challenge of being hated suggests that extreme actions or opinions are needed to break through the default position of being liked or accepted.
A contemporary example of this can be seen in the way politicians or public figures can sometimes gain significant popularity with little effort, as many people are drawn to their message, charisma, or appearance. However, to generate hatred, individuals must usually take positions or make statements that offend large groups of people, leading to polarization or widespread rejection. Picasso’s quote highlights that the path to dislike often requires a more intentional and provocative effort, suggesting that love is more often a natural outcome, while hatred is something that must be cultivated through more extreme actions.
