Is it normal to being unable to fully destroy a former bully out of compassion?

[Anonymous]

A jerk abused and bullied others. He robbed his own mother; had no respect for anyone. He had sociopathic tendencies, lacking compassion for others. If someone were drowning he can be watching the person and do nothing. That's how his compassion level is, little to zero.

I started training during my entire HS years. I got my chance years later as an adult but thing is when tables turned and I had him down, I couldn't continue. This might sound silly but even if I could finish him off or by chance there were a weapon, I wouldn't be able to proceed. I'm not him. I can't proceed when someone is down.

Updates

+1 y

I stopped when there was no point anymore. If it were him and I were down, he wouldn't care. I really don't understand how someone can have no compassion for others. I had my enemy down; he was really at my mercy and I stopped. I couldn't do it anymore.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on the person. I had a guy that bullied me every single day through Jr. High.
One day his father committed suicide. After going through such a trauma I figured he'd be distraught and leave me alone. He didn't even lighten up. So in the middle of it he next time I simply said "Hey Matt how's your dad"? And he just froze stopped and walked away.
I learned something from this. Bullies don't see bullying the same way the person being bullied does. I don't remember him really bullying me after that. Just his friends. My sister ran Into years later at the bar and he said that comment I made hurt him for a really long time. And from the comment you'd almost think that he was disappointed with me for ruining a "good thing".
What can I say. People are weird.

[Asker]

I haven't heard nor seen my bully since then. He put his fb in private. The interesting part is I showed him the compassion he wouldn't have had, what he lacked. I had him right there and it was in my power to finish him off if I wanted but I stopped.
If it was him, he wouldn't care. I'm trying to understand him and think like a sociopath but can't. Those people like him are so different.

[jshm2]

It's called "being a rational adult".

You have become an adult and see no further use in abusing your time getting back at him. He probably has deep personal issues that haven't been resolved, whereas you've developed and progressed.

[Gwenhwyfar]

That makes sense

[Asker]

My friend was like ''girl, he had him down, you would've spat on him or step on him''. I told him I wasn't him, that there was no point anymore. I only did what was needed to disable him, nothing more. I felt bad to see someone down to be honest, even if it was my former bully.

[Gwenhwyfar]

I agree with you