---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He felt that he must at all costs hold…"
description: "\"“He felt that he must at all costs hold onto the knowledge that these men were unalterable enemies; for already he felt the old tug towards yielding, t..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2aa/c-s-lewis-121_enemies_he-felt-that-he-must-at-all-costs-hold-o_2933540.jpg"
---

#  He felt that he must at all costs hold onto the knowledge…

![“He felt that he must at all costs hold onto the knowledge that these men were unalterable enemies; for already he felt the old tug towards yielding, towards semicredulity, inside him.” quote by C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2aa/c-s-lewis-121_enemies_he-felt-that-he-must-at-all-costs-hold-o_2933540.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2aa/c-s-lewis-121_enemies_he-felt-that-he-must-at-all-costs-hold-o_2933540.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2aa/c-s-lewis-121_enemies_he-felt-that-he-must-at-all-costs-hold-o_2933540.jpg)

> ““He felt that he must at all costs hold onto the knowledge that these men were unalterable enemies; for already he felt the old tug towards yielding, towards semicredulity, inside him.””

[C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He clings to the belief that his enemies are immutable, resisting the pull toward mercy and compromise.

**In simple terms:** Holding onto enemy image blocks compassion.

Key Takeaway

Recognize when hostility becomes rigid.

Themes

morality conflict compassion

Mood

dramatic reflective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- war
- personal relationships
- ethical decisions

Key Concepts

theology human nature

Questions to Reflect On

- What enemies do you view as unchangeable?
- How might mercy alter the outcome?

A Different Perspective

Compassion may be seen as weakness in entrenched conflict.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Enemies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemies/) [Enemies Felt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemies-felt-4336846/) [Felt Old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/felt-old-550425/) [Men Unalterable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-unalterable-4336848/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Unalterable Enemies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unalterable-enemies-4336847/)

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