Fighting an oppressor or some evil can easily become one's very identity; let's not pretend a "hero" reaps no reward.

A threat not only renders your flaws irrelevant, but instantly imbues your empty life with a noble meaning.

Survival threats halt your growth. The person fighting an enemy can't expend effort on analysis and introspection—they armor themselves instead.

But what happens if that threat is false and never-ending?

An enemy can be an escape, too. If you believe that your survival is at stake, introspection and self-improvement are wasteful vulnerabilities.

An obsession with "justice" or "freedom" can easily serve as an escape from oneself.

Nietzsche knew the seduction of fighting monsters. The world is much simpler when your survival is at stake.

Why wake up and face your own weaknesses when you can be a hero in battle against evil instead?

There lies the seduction in seeing the world in the worst way possible.

It is so much more satisfying to be the hero fighting evil than the average person fighting their own flaws.

Of course, there is a cost to easy satisfaction.

Live your life searching the world for monsters and you'll never find the one monster only you can face.