Megan Ruth / Thought Catalog Agency

5 Zodiacs Who Get Mean When They Feel Hurt

As the saying goes, the opposite of love isn’t hate—it’s indifference. The zodiacs on this list don’t present as mean or cruel or insulting because they’re unfeeling—it’s because they feel too much. They only try to hurt you because they know what it feels like to be hurt.

It’s also said that there’s a thin line between love and hate. There’s also a thin line between kindness and meanness. Trust me when I tell you that you never want to cross that line with the following signs.

Cancer

Crabs would be nothing without their shell. They appear unreasonably hard on the outside to hide their inner softness. They are like marshmallows covered in iron. But what seems like unreasonable meanness is only a perfectly rational defense mechanism to protect them from being hurt. The world’s most famous boxer, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, grew up in southern Mexico, where he was bullied in school for having red hair—the word “canelo” means “cinnamon” in Spanish. One day he decided to strike back at one of his bullies. When he decided to fight back, his bullies were surprised at how tough he was. Canelo was born on July 18, 1990—he’s a Cancer.

Gemini

The mean Twin acts as the big sibling to the kind Twin, protecting them from bullies and those who’d take advantage of them. The mean Twin guides the kind Twin through this world, glaring and glowering at anyone they feel may exploit their little sibling’s naivete and vulnerability. The mean Twin feels that many people don’t deserve the kind Twin’s generosity, empathy, and fantastic sense of humor. But if you pass the audition and prove that you aren’t malicious, the mean Twin will introduce you to their younger sibling and allow you access to all the wonderful things they have to offer.

Pisces

Pisces can be very kind and caring and attentive and generous, but when they feel attacked, they go low—VERY low. Inside that sweet little puppy lurks a pit bull ready to strike. You may have thought you told a harmless joke about them, but they took it as an affront to their very existence. You may think they’re overreacting, while they may feel they could have been much, much meaner. They will try to sense what your weak spot is and then strike you where they feel it hurts. But often they’re only projecting—for example, if they’re insecure about their looks, they’ll insult something about your looks. 

Scorpio

The Scorpion’s stinger is always ready to strike—and it can be lethal. Scorpios are one of the most passionate star signs, and their emotions run hot in a world that often seems very cold to them. Because they feel pain so intensely, they also know how to inflict it—intensely. Keep these things in mind if you intend to become a Scorpio’s friend—or, especially, their lover. Be a little careful to stay on their good side, and you’ll get to experience how intensely good they can be.

Capricorn

Unlike the other signs on this list, who tend to be preemptively mean and insulting, the Goat lies in wait, allowing you to be mean to them first. They are a classic example of someone who’s very nice—until they’re not. They say they never go hunting, but they will set traps, and you’d be wise never to step into their trap. When they feel someone has taken advantage of them, they explode. They have a very long fuse, but it will blow at some point. Capricorn’s main problem is a lack of assertiveness on the front end. And you don’t want to see what’s on the back end—it’s a horror show.