this is a statement you can't possibly be sure of and the fact you're making it shows a lack of reflection.

It's absolutely a continuum, which implies to me there will be people with your experience. Of course, you may not have encountered a scenario where your principles were on the line!

But then, I'd also agree there would be loads of cases where it is a mask being lifted, but isn't that the point? Is there a meaningful difference between "revealing one's true self" and "being robbed of an essential part of humanity" when the outcome results in the same antisocial behavior?