I have come to realize that even one's enemies say a lot of truth about a person, without meaning to. If you know how to read the insults, that is.
For example, Our Lord worked awesome, undeniable miracles. How did his enemies insult him?
"He is casting out devils by the power of Beelzebub".
"A rabble rouser"
So even the insults suggest that he had great power, as well as an ability to influence people. He drew people to Himself for some reason.
Another example -- one enemy said that Bishop Williamson was "airy fairy" which he defined as "an old fashioned term for head in the clouds".
So...I, who like Bishop Williamson would describe him as
a philosopher for many years, wise, always thinking about the big-picture and principles.
How would a hater try to cast that in a negative light?
"airy fairy"
"head in the clouds"
"ivory tower"
I would say that Bishop Williamson is a warrior for the truth, only saying what is true, which requires nuances because (as the saying goes) "the pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple." If something is not 100% true, he won't say it. He'll emphasize how it's 99.99% true, but then admit that there's that .01%. I think that's admirable, because I like truth and accuracy. But, again, I'm willing to admit good things about him because I'm favorable to him.
But what would the detractors say if they heard the same 5 minute talk?
"He's all over the place"
"Duplicitous"
"Confusing"
"Talks out of both sides of his mouth"
Let's take another example: Fr. Pfeiffer. Most CathInfo members are familiar with him. He is a pioneer of the US Resistance, going all around the country (and even the world) saying Mass for groups of resistance supporters, albeit on a sporadic basis. He is under-staffed and has minimal resources, but he is a fighter, a trooper, and a pioneer. And let's not forget his leadership abilities and people skills.
How will his detractors cast his virtues and strong points in a negative light?
"controversial"
"loose cannon"
"disobedient"
"maverick"
"hot potato"
You can literally take ANY virtue and turn it around to sound negative
Leader becomes "disobedient"
Faithful becomes "stubborn", "disobedient", "rebel"
Perseverance in the Faith becomes "trying to be the remnant of the remnant"
Next point -- it works in reverse.
When you're following a personality 1st and principles 2nd, you might distort the truth by interpreting VICES in a POSITIVE light.
Human beings are very complicated.
For example, if a man had an over-simplified response to a situation, his followers might interpret the (objectively erroneous) childish solution to a problem favorably by saying
"He's got a solution; he's trying to solve this problem!"
"He's a straight-talker"
"He's easy to understand"
etc.
Last point - some enemies make up bald-faced lies. Sometimes the exact OPPOSITE of the truth. Yes, enemies can be that bold!
Some enemies won't even be content to "twist" your actual actions into something evil or negative -- they aren't content with even basing their accusations on the TRUTH. They'll take something you're doing/saying and completely flip it around into an outright LIE.
For example:
Bishop Williamson lately has said many times that he doesn't have the authority to "seize control of all resistance priests". Which is true. Good on him for having a good Catholic sense. Meanwhile, he also mentioned at TWO different large conferences that we MUST NOT get all high and mighty or puffed up, or consider ourselves "the remnant of the remnant" and everyone else is garbage. He said that explicitly! For years (decades?) he taught seminarians that the SSPX wasn't anything special, and that as soon as it stopped standing for the truth (its one strength) it would be good for nothing like salt that has lost its savor. He continues this teaching with the Resistance now -- always poking us in case anyone's ego is starting to inflate, and reminding us to stay humble and PRAY.
What did one enemy say?
"Always talking about how he will lead the resistance, restoration, true SSPX, Traditional Remnant, remnant of the remnant, ect."
I think a chart or spreadsheet could be devised, to "translate" the insults into what truth probably lies underneath.
But it would only work for those insults "based" on actual truth. As many have pointed out, the psychological technique of "projection" is very real. Many people project their own faults onto their enemies.