Provoke is a transitive verb, which requires a direct object to receive the action, and can be good or bad based on what it is provoking. A mind provoked to thought is like pulling the blanket off a slothful teenager on a sunny Saturday, and is right and necessary. A fool provoking offense by sensationalist claims, who just likes to watch the pearl clutching, generally is bad. Provocation can also be the work of a strategist who means to illicit both effects at the same time, like when Jesus told the Jews the only way to eternal life is an act of cannibalism.
Running Thoughts #12
Thought Butter 