It’s hard not to take that personally. It’s hard not to see their actions as malicious when they’re really corrupted by fear and self-loathing. It’s hard not to get sucked into their over-intellectualising; primarily because when one is slandered, one feels compelled to defend oneself.
But I’ve found that part of moving on as lovingly and peacefully as possible is accepting that the cycle of pain and hurt people hurting people can end with my refusal to perpetuate it any further.