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Summary:

Plus, the desire to help someone can be narcissistic. Peterson quotes Dostoevsky’s Notes from Underground as an example, where the protagonist doesn’t have the strength of character to see through his promises to the downtrodden Liza. Problematic, low-achieving people also tend to bring down the groups or teams around them instead of being influenced by their more stable peers. When it comes to helping other people, Peterson suggests assuming that you’re doing the easiest thing, not the most difficult. It’s easy to assume that you’re making progress with a troubled person, but it’s likely you’re just enabling their bad behavior.

Analysis:

Peterson cites Dostoevsky’s novels a number of times in 12 Rules, turning to them as examples of literary works that capture core truths about human nature. Here,

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Romeo

(aside) She speaks.
O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art
As glorious to this night, being o’er my head,
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the white, upturnèd, wondering eyes
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Romeo

(to himself) She speaks. Speak again, bright angel! For tonight you are as glorious, there up above me, as a winged messenger of heaven who makes mortals fall onto their backs to gaze up with awestruck eyes as he strides across the lazy clouds and sails through the air.

Juliet

O Romeo, Romeo! Why must you be Romeo? Deny your father and give up your name. Or, if you won’t change your name, just swear your love to me and I’ll give up being a Capulet.

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