Violence Is Its Own Reward

In any given scenario, there are several ways to solve a problem. One could try stealth (solving the problem without anybody knowing you were even there). One could try trickery (convincing others you are somebody other than yourself or that you have more privileges and responsibilities that you actually do). One could try diplomacy (convincing others that there is no problem and to make it go away). And one could try violence (using sheer strength and aggression to demolish the obstacles).

At its simplest, people will generally choose the approach that is easiest for them. The charismatic person uses trickery or diplomacy. The agile person chooses stealth. The brute uses violence. But there is another level to that.

Each approach comes with different rewards. Diplomacy is most likely to effect official and definite resolution. Trickery is high risk, high reward, including the chance to get more than your bargained for. Stealth allows you to pick up trinkets along the way, since nobody is seeing you anyway. Violence pretty much allows you to continue being violent.

Through violence, you can theoretically beat the opposition into submission, but usually, violence just pisses people off. When you are an aggressor, it makes people defensive. And when you are a bully, it makes others retaliatory. Violence pretty much begets more violence. But if you like being violent, then then violence is its own reward.