but,brothers, this biting of their toe-nails over what is the cause of badness is what turns me into a fine laughing malchick... more badness is of the self, the one, the you or me on our oddy knockies,and that self is made by old Bog or God and is his great pride and radosty. But the not-self cannot have the bad, meaning they of the government and the judges and the schools cannot allow the bad because they cannot allow the self... But what I do I do because I like to do.
by Anthony Burgess
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The passage reflects on the concept of 'badness' and its origins, emphasizing the importance of individual identity. The speaker, likening the discussions over the cause of badness to trivial concerns, suggests that true badness is inherent to oneself, shaped by a higher power, whether referred to as Bog or God. This self, with its unique traits, is a source of pride, highlighting the intrinsic human nature that includes both goodness and badness.

The text further contrasts the self with the 'not-self,' represented by institutions such as government and education, which seek to suppress badness to maintain control. The speaker asserts that personal actions stem from genuine desire, underscoring the autonomy of the individual. By embracing one's true nature and acting according to personal will, the individual asserts their identity against societal norms that try to confine it.

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