What we see in those who excuse themselves is the same thing as happens, all too frequently, in disputes among the nations and particularly in the forum of world opinion. National or individual incriminations make easy way for a national or personal self-excuse. Thus the noble art of self-analysis is supplanted by the vicious practice of accusing someone else and excusing oneself. In that way a “causal” line of thought ends up in making references to someone else as the prima causa of one’s own misconduct.