Malicious deprivation

Malicious deprivation refers to the intentional and spiteful withholding or denial of life, communication, information, freedom, education, food, shelter, dignity, or other basic needs and rights.
This act is carried out with the purpose of causing harm, distress, or disadvantage to another person, motivated by ill will, spite, or a desire to exert control or punishment.

When an individual is denied certain privileges or necessities-not because of any wrongdoing on their part, but solely due to cultural, societal, or personal biases-such deprivation is considered malicious, as it is rooted in the intent to harm or diminish another’s well-being.

This can lead to a range of negative consequences, including:

1. Emotional distress: Malicious deprivation can cause significant emotional pain, anxiety, and depression.
2. Behavioral problems: Individuals who experience malicious deprivation may develop behavioral issues, such as aggression, addiction, or self-destructive tendencies.
3. Psychological trauma: Repeated or severe malicious deprivation can lead to long-term psychological trauma, including complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD).
4. Social and relational difficulties: Malicious deprivation can damage an individual’s ability to form and maintain healthy relationships, leading to social isolation and difficulties.

All the negatives in human behavior can be attributed to malicious deprivation. When an individual is denied of certain privileges, not because he or she has done something wrong but because his/her culture or society simply dictates it, is a form of deprivation.

When governments restrict your freedom of movement and education it is a form of deprivation. When they fabricate reasons for the curtailment of your basic need to explore and communicate, it is a form of deprivation. When your basic need of education and exploration are deprived, you are disconnected. You can be easily manipulated. They let you wallow in poverty and teach you to tolerate your situation.

When a leader deliberately provides false information or instills false hopes in their followers, it constitutes a form of malicious deprivation. By misleading those who trust them, the leader deprives individuals of their right to make informed decisions, distorting reality and influencing choices based on deception rather than truth. This betrayal not only undermines trust but can also lead to harmful consequences, affecting personal, social, and economic well-being. Leadership carries the responsibility of guiding with integrity, ensuring that followers are equipped with accurate knowledge and realistic expectations. Depriving people of truth for personal gain or manipulation erodes the foundation of ethical governance, leaving communities vulnerable to exploitation and disillusionment.

Deprivation causes disconnection. Disconnection certainly creates and maintains poverty. Disconnection breaks up relationships and is the main culprit for suicide, malice, loss of dignity and hate. When a person is deprived, it is easier for him to be vindictive and to hate.

All teachings and commandments from various philosophies, creeds, and religions converge on a common principle when addressing what not to do: avoidance of deprivation. Therefore, the foundational commandment for humanity should be: ‘Do not maliciously deprive’.

Take the two top products of deprivation: cheating and insulting:

• Cheating – One of the hardest habits to resist. Almost instinctively, we try to cheat when we crave or pursue something we don’t have. But in doing so, we don’t just deceive others—we deceive ourselves. Cheating is a form of deprivation, robbing others of fairness and ourselves of integrity.
• Insulting – An attack on human dignity. As children, we learn to tease, often without realizing the harm it causes. When teased, children get angry and emotionally wounded. As adults, we refine insults into weapons, often driven by vanity—seeking to elevate ourselves by degrading others. Wars, battles, and even killings have been ignited by simple insults. A person who insults another does not truly respect them.GIVE RESPECT. DO NOT EXPECT RESPECT. Do not mock the shortcomings of others. True strength lies in lifting others up, not tearing them down.

Deprivation in itself is not evil, unless there is the intent of malice.

There are many circumstances where deprivation is not rooted in malice but arises from necessity, responsibility, or the consequences of one’s actions. Universal Stewardship recognizes that difficult decisions, even those involving deprivation, must be guided by prudence, compassion, and accountability-not cruelty.

Examples where deprivation is not malicious:

• Survival Actions: Survival actions taken without hate or cruelty do not contradict Universal Stewardship-they reflect our natural responsibility to protect ourselves and others. In situations such as self-defense, protecting loved ones, or seeking sustenance, taking a life or causing harm without malice may still embody love, responsibility, and even sharing. The absence of malice is what keeps such actions from being evil. Universal Stewardship is a moral compass designed to guide us even through life’s hardest decisions.

• Addiction: Addiction is a complex illness that can drive individuals to actions that harm themselves and others-not out of malice, but because their judgment and self-control are impaired. Universal Stewardship recognizes the difference between harm caused by intentional cruelty and harm resulting from sickness. Compassion and support, rather than condemnation, are essential for those struggling with addiction. Helping them seek recovery is itself an act of stewardship, affirming our shared responsibility to care for one another, especially when someone’s ability to act responsibly is compromised by disease.

• Justice and Consequences: There are circumstances where deprivation of certain rights or freedoms is a consequence of one’s actions, not an act of malice. For example, when someone is lawfully convicted of a crime, society may impose restrictions-such as imprisonment or loss of certain privileges-not out of hatred, but as a matter of justice, accountability, and protection for others. This form of deprivation is not malicious; it is a consequence designed to uphold social order and the rights of others.

• Parental Discipline: Parents may restrict a child’s privileges (such as screen time or outings) to teach responsibility and protect their well-being. When done with love and without cruelty, this is stewardship, not malice.

• Medical Necessity: A doctor may restrict a patient’s activities or diet for health reasons. Although this limits immediate freedom, it is done for the patient’s benefit.

• Quarantine or Isolation: During public health emergencies, individuals may be temporarily deprived of movement to prevent the spread of disease. This is done for the greater good, not out of malice.

• Resource Allocation: In times of scarcity, rationing or prioritizing resources (like food, water, or medical care) may be necessary to ensure survival and fairness. Such actions, when guided by responsibility and compassion, are not malicious.

• Accidents: Accidents are not malicious. They may cause deprivation, but there is no intent to harm. However, when an accident results from irresponsibility, negligence, or lack of prudence and care, accountability must follow. While there may be no malice, justice and responsibility remain essential to uphold fairness and prevent future harm.

In all these cases, the absence of malice and the presence of responsibility, care, or justice distinguish necessary deprivation from acts of evil or cruelty. Universal Stewardship recognizes that difficult decisions are sometimes required for the well-being of individuals and society, and it calls for these decisions to be made with prudence, compassion, and accountability.

Defense Against Continuous Malicious Deprivation

There are rare and grave circumstances where the termination of life becomes a necessary act to uphold the very foundation of human rights and basic security. When an individual persistently and willfully causes harm—maliciously depriving others of life, freedom, and dignity—refusing all correction and leaving no means of restraint, that person becomes a continuous threat to humanity’s moral and physical well-being.

In such cases, termination is not born of hate, vengeance, or cruelty. It is an act of protection, carried out to prevent further deprivation and to defend the innocent. This is in harmony with the principle stated in the article on Security:

“Fight, not because you hate or you are hated. Fight because you are defending and protecting what and who you love and respect.”

Universal Stewardship acknowledges that while all life is sacred, the preservation of life and the defense of love, respect, and freedom sometimes demand decisive action. The intent must remain pure—to protect, not to destroy; to preserve balance, not to indulge in dominance.

Termination under these conditions is not evil, for it is not rooted in malice. It is an act of responsible stewardship, where compassion and justice unite to protect the greater good. The guiding principle remains:

Without malice, there is no evil. Without defense, there is no security.

Related Principles:
Prudence | Kindness | Accountability | Justice