I think the "9 lives" and the "assholes" come from the way humans understand their own limitations and motives, and their own babies' and dogs' limitations and motives. Then they see cats who, despite being baby sized and sharing some traits with toddlers and looking like dogs, can not only easily survive a fall that would kill a baby or dog, but might choose to leap it. And are so lithe and pointy they can escape the torture of an over-loving toddler, and will smackdown a much larger dog. As for motives, they don't have a pack mentality so your praise is welcome but not sought. I've seen 3 feral moms co-parenting 15 kittens because it makes life easier for all of them but none is in charge, the moms are equals. A cat has to look out for its own needs and interests but it's not like a grifting politician, it doesn't want to rule the world, it only wants enough power and food to feel safe and full and warm.

They are only assholes to assholes.