A damaged person will eventually be destroyed by the world. It’s he versus the world. Phil lived in the past and lived in the memory. But life goes on, so either the world destroys him or he keeps attacking everyone to maintain his balance. Once he shows vulnerability, he can not immune to the harm, cause he is so lonely, lonely to death.
But what of those who have no family to rely on? What happens to those poor souls who have no loved ones to help them in their hour of need? Well, most learn to walk life's road by themselves. But a sad few of us simply stop trying.