There's use of power, and there's abuse of power. What you're saying here is that abuse of power is unnecessary and wrong, and I completely agree with this. Abuse of power is cowardness in my book.
However, if you find yourself in any confrontation or competition you actually want to win, you'd better hope that your adversary is weaker than you in some aspects and use your advantages over him without a second thought. There's no shame in exploiting your adversary's weaknesses, it's what you need to do to win fair and square. If your adversary is not weaker than you, well you'd better make him weaker (sometimes by making yourself stronger) before you hope to win against him.
by Venator of Verum
Hmm, I might sound dubiously altruistic, but when I encounter someone who seems timid and have to cooperate with I tend to mentor them in ways that would toughen them up and make them understand what I'm doing, while I'm at it.
I'm not sure if I've said it before, but you're not a sociopath dude. You're Yoda.
by DarkAges
For instance I'm very impulsive and hot-headed but I chose long ago to present myself to the world as being easygoing most of the time because it facilitates things.
You're not impulsive and hot headed enough if you can "mask" it. How can you control your not being able to control yourself, it's absurd.
by DarkAges
A small size can be an advantage in life though because people tend to think you're more innocuous. Oh and Bruce Lee was 5' 7½".
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You're short, aren't you? :D