The quote speaks to the act of defaming someone to elevate oneself. "Paint a dark picture of another" implies tarnishing someone's reputation. "Perfect picture of themselves" suggests an attempt to appear flawless. The quote conveys the unfortunate tactic of dragging others down to build one's self-image.
The quote underscores the deceptive nature of this behavior. It highlights the insincerity of attempting to create a perfect image by disparaging others. "Sad when one has to" emphasizes the reluctance of resorting to such tactics to bolster self-esteem, reflecting a lack of authenticity.
In essence, the quote speaks to the hollowness of self-esteem built on the detriment of others. It emphasizes the importance of fostering self-worth without resorting to damaging someone else's reputation. The quote reflects the negative consequences of engaging in such behavior, both for the person perpetrating it and for those they harm.