I always thought sociopaths were the ones who were best at manipulating others by using perceived wants and needs as a from of bait and enjoying the way they could make others jump through hoops.  

i think the sociopath's charm lies in his ability to create you, the you that you've always wanted to be, without you having to do any of the work. when he's gone you lose not just him, but most importantly you lose you. which is maybe why the victims hang on to being victims, and are so bitter and, dare i say, un-empathic about it. it lets them feel that at least like that they still exist. to know yourself is the best defence. the sociopaths know themselves. the empaths want the sociopaths to know them too. why is that?