We can never establish with certainty what part of our relations with others is the result of our emotions -- love, antipathy, charity, or malice -- and what part is predetermined by the constant power play among individuals.

Summary

This quote suggests that it is difficult to determine the extent to which our interactions with others are influenced by our emotions, such as love, hatred, empathy, or ill-will, versus the inherent dynamics of power struggles that exist among individuals. It implies that determining the true motivations behind our relationships is challenging because there is always a complex interplay between emotional attachments and the subtle power dynamics that shape human interactions.

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