--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A word of command has made these silent…" description: "\"“A word of command has made these silent figures our enemies; a word of command might transform them into our friends. At some table a document is sign..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebb/erich-maria-remarque-568_enemies_a-word-of-command-has-made-these-silent_2823428.jpg" --- # A word of command has made these silent figures our… ![“A word of command has made these silent figures our enemies; a word of command might transform them into our friends. At some table a document is signed by some persons whom none of us knows, and then for years together that very crime on which formerly the world's condemnation and severest…” quote by Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebb/erich-maria-remarque-568_enemies_a-word-of-command-has-made-these-silent_2823428.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebb/erich-maria-remarque-568_enemies_a-word-of-command-has-made-these-silent_2823428.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebb/erich-maria-remarque-568_enemies_a-word-of-command-has-made-these-silent_2823428.jpg) > ““A word of command has made these silent figures our enemies; a word of command might transform them into our friends. At some table a document is signed by some persons whom none of us knows, and then for years together that very crime on which formerly the world's condemnation and severest penalty fell, becomes our highest aim. But who can draw such a distinction when he looks at these quiet men with their childlike faces and apostles' beards. Any noncommissioned officer is more of an enemy to a recruit, any schoolmaster to a pupil than they are to us. And yet we would shoot at them again and they at us if they were free.”” [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Powerful language can turn ordinary people into enemies or allies; institutions often create enemies through bureaucratic decisions. **In simple terms:** Words and systems can make friends into foes. Key Takeaway Recognize how language and authority shape relationships. Themes power authority dehumanization war obedience Mood reflective critical somber Type philosophical political literary When to use this quote - military training - bureaucratic policy - education - political negotiations Key Concepts psychology social dynamics military hierarchy Questions to Reflect On - How do words change your perception of others? - When have you seen authority turn allies into enemies? A Different Perspective The quote may oversimplify complex social bonds and ignore individual agency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enemies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemies/) [Insightful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insightful/) [Years together](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-together/) ## Related quotes > [Any non-commissioned officer is more of an enemy to a recruit, any schoolmaster to a pupil, then they are if they were free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/any-non-commissioned-officer-is-more-of-an-enemy-to-a-recruit-any/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) > [Conservatives generally think it's best to take enemies at their word, to believe their bombast and threats and make preparations, rather than dismiss them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-macdonald/conservatives-generally-think-it-s-best-to-take-enemies-at-their-word/) [Neil Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-macdonald/) > [“Quiet men keep secrets.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-elias/quiet-men-keep-secrets/) [Martin Elias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-elias/) > [God bless pawnbrokers! They are quiet men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marguerite-wilkinson/god-bless-pawnbrokers-they-are-quiet-men/) Marguerite Wilkinson > [“Where once kings and warriors shaped the world, now quiet men in offices will do the same—and do it far, far more effectively.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-sanderson/where-once-kings-and-warriors-shaped-the-world-now-quiet-men-in/) [Brandon Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-sanderson/) > [The greatest evil is not done in those sordid dens of evil that Dickens loved to paint ... but is conceived and ordered (moved,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-greatest-evil-is-not-done-in-those-sordid-dens-of-evil-that/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [“In order for your marriage to become that great love story there are certain things you need to establish in your early years together…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-k-popcak/in-order-for-your-marriage-to-become-that-great-love-story-there-are/) [Gregory K. 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It is recognizing that love is not about finding someone who perfectly understands you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donell-m-winder/the-key-to-lasting-love-is-remaining-open-to-learning-it-is/) Donell M. Winder > [You've managed-- in our short three years together-- to kill not only my god, but my father, my brother, and my fiance. That's kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-sanderson/you-ve-managed-in-our-short-three-years-together-to-kill-not-only-my/) [Brandon Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-sanderson/) > [“Elend smiled. "Oh, come on. You have to admit that you're unusual, Vin. You're like some strange mixture of a noblewoman, a street urchin,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-sanderson/elend-smiled-oh-come-on-you-have-to-admit-that-you-re-unusual-vin-you/) [Brandon Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-sanderson/) ## More by Erich Maria Remarque > [There was only the broad square with the scattered dim moons of the street lamps and with the monumental stone arch which receded into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/there-was-only-the-broad-square-with-the-scattered-dim-moons-of-the/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) > [“The idea of authority, which they represented, was associated in our minds with a greater insight and a more humane wisdom. But the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/the-idea-of-authority-which-they-represented-was-associated-in-our/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) > [“It was a long time since I had been in a theatre. And I would not have come now had Pat not wanted it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/it-was-a-long-time-since-i-had-been-in-a-theatre-and-i-would-not-have/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) > [“Besides,” continued Gottfried, “you’re coming now to the time when the difference between a bourgeois and a cavalier begins to show. A bourgeois always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/besides-continued-gottfried-you-re-coming-now-to-the-time-when-the/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) > [“They are wearing new uniforms and greatcoats; their boots are water-tight and fit well; their rifles are good and their pouches full of ammunition.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/they-are-wearing-new-uniforms-and-greatcoats-their-boots-are-water/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) > [“Shortly after the war Valentin had come into a little money, and had been drinking it ever since. 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Everything is beginning to be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/i-too-am-going-to-go-away-soon-she-says-i-am-weary-and-weary-of-my/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) > [“One is never too young. Only always too old.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/one-is-never-too-young-only-always-too-old/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) > [You take it from me, we are losing the war because we can salute too well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/you-take-it-from-me-we-are-losing-the-war-because-we-can-salute-too/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) > [“It keeps them going, staves off the evil day when they will be alone. And to be alone, really alone, without illusion, that way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/it-keeps-them-going-staves-off-the-evil-day-when-they-will-be-alone/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) > [“Suddenly he knew all the things he should have said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/suddenly-he-knew-all-the-things-he-should-have-said/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) > [“To hell with it. What was the use trying to make safe and sure our little life? Sooner or later the great wave must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/to-hell-with-it-what-was-the-use-trying-to-make-safe-and-sure-our/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) > [“I glance at my boots. They are big and clumsy, the breeches are tucked into them, and standing up one looks well-built and powerful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/i-glance-at-my-boots-they-are-big-and-clumsy-the-breeches-are-tucked/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) [Explore all 360 Erich Maria Remarque quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) ## More Enemies quotes > [“Never let your Enemies become your Advocates.” by A. K. Hasan”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-k-hasan/never-let-your-enemies-become-your-advocates-by-a-k-hasan/) A.K. Hasan > [I don't see why we and the Chinese should have to be enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-gandhi/i-don-t-see-why-we-and-the-chinese-should-have-to-be-enemies/) [Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-gandhi/) > [“If it takes night to make day, pain to know pleasure, black to make white, then doesn't it stand to reason that the depth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-snyder/if-it-takes-night-to-make-day-pain-to-know-pleasure-black-to-make/) Michael Snyder > [“Enemies Teach. Friends Preach.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tapan-ghosh/enemies-teach-friends-preach/) [Tapan Ghosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tapan-ghosh/) > [Your greatest weapon is your enemies mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddha/your-greatest-weapon-is-your-enemies-mind/) [Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddha/) > [“THE UNFORGIVEN Tell me if you've ever had to deal with these kinds of people: The kind who take and don't give. The kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/the-unforgiven-tell-me-if-you-ve-ever-had-to-deal-with-these-kinds-of/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [Sometimes even paranoids have enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delmore-schwartz/sometimes-even-paranoids-have-enemies/) [Delmore Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delmore-schwartz/) > [When a husband brings his wife flowers for no reason, there's a reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-mcgee/when-a-husband-brings-his-wife-flowers-for-no-reason-there-s-a-reason/) Molly McGee > [You should never hate anyone, even your worst enemies. Everyone has something good about them. You have to find the redeeming quality and love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-walls/you-should-never-hate-anyone-even-your-worst-enemies-everyone-has/) [Jeannette Walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-walls/) > [“Anyone who is portraying Israel as a friend is a servant of Israel. I warn some sides against turning enemies into friends and friends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sayed-hassan-nasrallah/anyone-who-is-portraying-israel-as-a-friend-is-a-servant-of-israel-i/) [Sayed Hassan Nasrallah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sayed-hassan-nasrallah/) > [No accurate thinker will judge another person by that which the other person's enemies say about him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/no-accurate-thinker-will-judge-another-person-by-that-which-the-other/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Whoever will not love his enemies cannot know the Lord and the sweetness of the Holy Spirit. 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