I mean, think of the meanest person you know. Think of Hitler, even. And then picture him jerking off alone in a room. Suddenly, he doesn't seem so evil and impressive anymore, does he? He seems sort of hilarious and powerless and vulnerable and maybe even like someone you feel sorry for. Back in junior high, our health teacher told us that everyone masturbates. Everyone is a slave to sexual desire, I guess. And so maybe everyone deserves our pity, then, too. Maybe if we would just picture our enemies jerking off once in a while, the world would be a better place.

//Matthew Quick, 2013, Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock