Having cause to ponder it, and looking for the wisdom of words from others who have thought, before, I found this very apt quote from the article I'll reference, below:
Evil is also sin, but there's a difference. Evil is intentional. Sin harms, evil seeks to harm. Sin misses the mark, evil doesn't even aim at the target. Lack of consideration for others is sin; lying about others maliciously is evil.
source: http://www.susancanthony.com/aboutsusan/biblesin.html
That about hits the nail on the head, for me. I was looking for something that spoke to my gut sense of it, and this is it.
The context [in my life] was that I was struggling to put a definition on the particular quality of certain people's acts, with regard to me - and in the past, to others. Acts that were not just (mere) selfishness, or 'incidentally' detrimental to their target...but utterly annihilating, destroying; and known wrongs...done with complete knowledge, and intent. With knowledge of their consequences, for the victims.
Evil.
James 5:1-6
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.
