Great quote

[Atoxicsewerofhate]

I came across the post below on Reddit, and read the quote thinking how well it could be applied to the thinking of TRAs - then realised it was being posted as a description of a terf!
How can this not be totally obvious??! Do we think in different languages?

Helen Belcher cutting through the crap again. If we expand her quote from Baltasar Gracián, it's quite a neat encapsulation of a terf:
"They take more pleasure in a lie, because it promises much, than in the truth, because it performs little. But in the end these caprices come to a bad end, for they have no solid foundation. Only Truth can give true reputation: only reality can be of real profit. One deceit needs many others, and so the whole house is built in the air and must soon come to the ground. Unfounded things never reach old age. They promise too much to be much trusted, just as that cannot be true which proves too much.
Without intelligence, either one's own or another's, true life is impossible. But many do not know that they do not know, and many think they know when they know nothing. Failings of the intelligence are incorrigible, since those who do not know, do not know themselves, and cannot therefore seek what they lack. Many would be wise if they did not think themselves wise."

Every accusation is a confession.

Because the cluster B personality disorders which are common in that community, particularly in online groups and in those drawn to activism, thrive on gaslighting, mirroring and projection. TRAs have always twisted women’s descriptions of them and weaponised them against us.

The bit in bold is a Bible quote incidentally

Deny Attack Reverse Victim and Offender

It’s clearly a nonsensical application to people who understand the reality of biological sex, and an apt one for a group of people who feel threatened by reality and require constant validation of their fringe worldview.

It's the fact they totally believe it. They don't seem to be using it cynically at all (though I've no doubt some are completely cynical and self-serving in their actions).
Saying TWAW has been the initial lie that the rest of this ideology has been built on.

It’s a self reinforcing echo chamber. They aren’t ever challenged so can live this fantasy without reality intruding.

Exactly. They also appear to “totally believe” that they are women (or men, or neither or both). It’s nonsense, just like that.

I don't think it is. Everything I have found says is credited to Spanish philosopher Baltasar Gracián.

Your totally right Creamsegg, when I was googling I came across this: 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
which is from the Old Testament.
Not sure why I was conflating them, my mistake

The words of Lisa Muggeridge from years ago are always relevant. I'll quote some of what she's said here, although the last time I tried to reproduce the whole thing it was deleted.

"...Do not get embroiled in discussion of their identity, their identity is not relevant to you and outside making clear you do not see yourself reflected in their identity it serves no function but to prevent discussion.
All accusations are admissions. This is a very reliable compass. They will attribute their own motivations and actions to you because their identity is the only thing they can see and they can only see you as a reflection or threat to it. They are accusing themselves. Let them. Loudly...Do not be derailed from key points or boundaries, and use all admissions made. They will try to derail from the thing that injures them. Usually the reality of their identity and the threat you pose to it. Stick to their behaviour. The words they have used. Do not get embroiled in discussion of their identity. A narcissists identity is always the hill they will die on. Accept when they tell you they cannot separate their identity from your reality.
You do not have to debate being a woman. You are one. Your biology, the inequality you lived, the knowledge you have that came from this. You do not need to debate whether you are a woman. Or their definition of woman. Outside of being clear you do not see yourself reflected in them, you do not need to debate this. They do."

Interestingly I've found a FWR thread from 2020 where R0wantrees, late of this parish, was able to post the whole thing and it's still there...

What Constitutes Modern Day Feminism?

The last sentence seems particularly applicable to postmodernists, ‘queer theory’ academics etc.

Lisa was spot on.

She really was.

One deceit needs many others, and so the whole house is built in the air and must soon come to the ground.

We are all waiting for the day when they're house comes crashing down to Earth.

They are slippery and weaselly.
It’s like trying to grab clouds.

Maybe there really isn’t any substance to it, so that’s why it’s hard. They get to waffle endlessly about nothing, while we grasp pointlessly for something to analyse. It’s reminiscent of talking to a toddler. Mummy my boots are the biggest boots ever and they hurt my feet because my toes are so long and they are supposed to be purple because I like purple and I like sweeties and can I have a kitten?

I could have used this quote any number of times in the last few weeks on two or three threads. I'm going to save it for the next "everything must be about me and my wonderful life" poster.