The more powerful, and corect form of the "despise" statement put up by a FReeper whose name I don't recall, is this: (And this is word for word, because a well-turned phrase commits itself to memory very easily....) I despised him then.
I despise him now.
I will despise him until he dies.
And them, I will despise his memory.
The original version rises above the level of mere prose, to the level of poetry, because of the rhythm of the language.
Thanks Congressman Billybob. Ya da man :)