Reminded me of a similar quote:

"Your enemy is never a villain in his own eyes. Keep this in mind, it may offer a way to make him your friend. If not, you can kill him without hate--and quickly"

--Robert Heinlein "The Notebooks of Lazarus Long"

"As long as we remember that there are objective standards, and that understanding isn't the same as condoning."

Along these lines, there was a guy a while back who was kidnapping and killing little boys. Got 3 of them in two different episodes, was caught trying to abduct another. Absolutely despicable behavior.

He had had an appalling life. Had been screwed over in a variety of ways as a kid by virtually every adult who should have protected and supported him.

Pled guilty, asked for the death penalty, skipped as much of the appeal process he could. Said if he was ever free he'd do it again, didn't want to.

I don't have the slightest idea as to what the particular compulsions he had are like, but have engaged in compulsive behavior myself in the past, involving drinking more than was good for me or the folks around me. I have some small bit of an idea as to what a compulsion may be.

Since there was the likelihood he would commit the same crimes again if ever freed, I would have pulled the switch, or whatever they did to him. Would have had some problems, but not over whether it should be done. Wouldn't have been able to hate him, though the behavior was beyond anything which society should ever accept or tolerate under any circumstances.

I think that's what you mean by it being possible to understand without condoning. You are completely correct.

Arf