I think there are different ratios of goodness and badness in all of us, and without having to go through a laborious philosophical discussion on definitions of good and bad, I think it would be fair to say that many people recognise the difference between the person and the deed.
For example, I consider myself to be a good person at my core, but I recognise that I have done bad things. Does that not make me a bad person? I don't think so, but understand that some may disagree. I am a good person who has done bad things as well as good things, and there are bad people out there who have also done good things as well as bad things.
Bad people have feigned kindness, sympathy, philanthropy, a caring disposition et al, and to conceal their true vile nature and manipulate others. But what caused the ratio of badness and goodness in the bad person to have tilted so far into majority bad and thus made them bad? Again, it's another question with a million answers.
I've known people who have feigned good only for their sanctimonious, Good Samaritan, Holier than thou act to crumble. When the curtain falls and you see the person for who and what they are, it can be quite distressing, as you thought you had known that person, when all the time it was just an act.
I try to be the best person I can be, but also feel my demons flap their wings every day. Sometimes I allow them to fly, but mostly I try to bring them under control.
I'm a very strong believer in the unconscious mind, and feel that there is more going on in there than we could ever imagine or be aware of. Sometimes I behave in ways that I cannot give a conscious or rational explanation for. I know that my attitudes and actions are being motivated by something that lies beyond the conscious mind, and that although it doesn't make sense on a conscious level, if I journeyed deep enough inward, I would probably find rational, comprehensible, reasons for my behaviour.
But I'm not sure if I want to go there, as some things are probably best kept unknown.
