A well know fable:

A scorpion wants to cross a river and asks a fox to carry him across on its back.
The fox hesitates, afraid that the scorpion will sting him.
The scorpion argues, “If I sting you, we’ll both drown.”
The fox agrees, and they begin to cross the river.
Halfway across, the scorpion stings the fox.
As they both begin to sink, the fox gasps, “Why did you do that?”
The scorpion replies, “I couldn’t help it. I am what I am.”

The fable teaches that some people cannot (or are unwilling) change their fundamental nature—even when it’s self-destructive or goes against logic. It is with that in mind that I recommend the the article: Why Americans Don’t Understand Vladimir Putin.