It's more clear-eyed than that. He wants to win a very cruel game. He wants to succeed in his world. And in order to succeed in those terms, he knows he will hurt everyone around him and make enemies of them. He's decided that's not only acceptable, but a strategy he's proud of. After all, if he knows he'll make someone an enemy eventually, and they don't know, he can get the drop on them. An important factor for someone outclassed in raw power.

[As he did with Hakkai.]

But he's too stupid to adapt when the rewards of that game are not available. Poor lamb.

[Jedao sounds like he might be simmering mint sauce, if Hakkai didn't know better.]