The hidden lining

This perceived incongruity must be tempered by the realization that curses and blessings can be reciprocal. This means that when a person utters a curse against another, he or she simultaneously seeks an implied blessing for himself or herself at someone else’s expense. For instance, cursing an enemy ultimately aspires to a blessing. Therefore, an anathema directed toward a hostile target will become a blessing for the curser should the deities respond according to the solicitation.— Cursed Are You!, page 140