Feels like you and Koontz agree.

“Some people misunderstand evil and believe it will relent, and because their misplaced hope inspires dark hearts to dream darker dreams, they are the fathers and mothers of all wars. Evil does not relent; it must be defeated. And even when defeated, uprooted, and purified by fire, evil leaves behind a seed that will one day germinate and, in blooming, again be misunderstood.” -Dean Koontz

The point I’m trying to make, I guess, if there even is a point, is that evil IS recognizable. I’d even argue easily recognizable. I believe some choose to ignore it. Make excuses for it. “It’ll go away” they might say. I’d like to think I’m better than this.. but probably not.