A Call for a Gentler Society

In a world constantly simmering with outrage, where grievances multiply faster than understanding, one truth quietly emerges — we, as a society, are caught in a cycle of hatred. A cycle so deeply ingrained that anger has become easier than empathy, and vengeance often masquerades as justice.

The celebrated anime and manga Vinland Saga offers profound insight into this human tendency. Through the journey of its protagonist, Thorfinn, we are reminded that while hatred can feel like fuel, it is, in truth, a slow poison. As Thors, Thorfinn’s father, famously said: “You have no enemies. No one in this world deserves to be hurt.”

These words strike at the heart of what plagues modern life — the mistaken belief that we are locked in endless opposition with those who do not think, vote, speak, or believe as we do. Whether in traffic snarls, heated online debates, or workplace disputes, the ease with which contempt seeps into our interactions is alarming.

But what is hatred, really? It is recycled pain — handed down through history, taught through experience, and reinforced by fear. Vinland Saga shows us that vengeance, far from healing the wound, deepens it. Thorfinn, after years of being driven by revenge, ultimately realizes: “A true warrior needs no sword.”

We are not in medieval Iceland. Yet metaphorical swords are drawn daily — cutting words, dismissive attitudes, silent treatments. If society is to progress meaningfully, we must lay these weapons down.

Here’s how we start:

• Listen without preparing your rebuttal.

• Assume good intentions before bad ones.

• Step back when anger wells up, rather than stepping forward with retaliation.

• Understand that everyone is fighting unseen battles.
  

Hatred thrives on repetition. Break the pattern once, and you weaken its hold. Break it consistently, and you end the cycle — not just for yourself, but for those around you.

Towards the end of Vinland Saga, Thorfinn declares: “I have no desire to hurt anyone anymore. I will build a land without war.”

We may not be founding new lands. But we are building the society our children will inherit. Let it be one where kindness, not hatred, defines us.