He may be delusional to the point of actually believing some of his bullshit, but he still (correctly) knows that lying works - and for the people who follow him, it works better than honesty or considerate thought.
Exactly. Lying is easy, especially when compared to finding or spinning truth or even admitting a disadvantageous truth. But I can’t speak for everyone but I know that many children, including me, have phases of frequent lying that end because peers and adults see through the lies and punish them. You are taught not to lie and one of the realizations is that it doesn’t work as well as honesty. Trump seems to have never had that experience. His lies have always been rewarded.
Ethics were never impressed upon him. Why would he have them? Sure some insightful folks will have a Siddhartha Gautama like realization of the personal value of an ethical life, but his soul lacks that. He is as a cancer, only sated by more no matter the cost.
Because it works.
He may be delusional to the point of actually believing some of his bullshit, but he still (correctly) knows that lying works - and for the people who follow him, it works better than honesty or considerate thought.
Exactly. Lying is easy, especially when compared to finding or spinning truth or even admitting a disadvantageous truth. But I can’t speak for everyone but I know that many children, including me, have phases of frequent lying that end because peers and adults see through the lies and punish them. You are taught not to lie and one of the realizations is that it doesn’t work as well as honesty. Trump seems to have never had that experience. His lies have always been rewarded.
Ethics were never impressed upon him. Why would he have them? Sure some insightful folks will have a Siddhartha Gautama like realization of the personal value of an ethical life, but his soul lacks that. He is as a cancer, only sated by more no matter the cost.