The covert-aggressive personality employs a potent one-two punch: concealing obvious aggressive intent to ensure you never really see what’s coming; and exploiting your normal sensitivities, conscientiousness and other vulnerabilities to manipulate you into succumbing to his demands.

Sadists love to build themselves up at the expense of others. It makes them feel powerful to wield almost tyrannical influence over those they perceive as weaker or inferior. They derive pleasure from watching others cower, grovel, or struggle in one-down positions.