--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is no enemy can hurt us but by our…" description: "\"There is no enemy can hurt us but by our own hands. Satan could not hurt us, if our own corruption betrayed us not. Afflictions cannot hurt us without ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/joseph-hall-7416_affliction_there-is-no-enemy-can-hurt-us-but-by-our_856371.jpg" --- # There is no enemy can hurt us but by our own hands. Satan… ![“There is no enemy can hurt us but by our own hands. Satan could not hurt us, if our own corruption betrayed us not. Afflictions cannot hurt us without our own impatience. Temptations cannot hurt us, without our own yieldance. Death could not hurt us, without the sting of our own sins. Sins could…” quote by Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/joseph-hall-7416_affliction_there-is-no-enemy-can-hurt-us-but-by-our_856371.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/joseph-hall-7416_affliction_there-is-no-enemy-can-hurt-us-but-by-our_856371.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/joseph-hall-7416_affliction_there-is-no-enemy-can-hurt-us-but-by-our_856371.jpg) > “There is no enemy can hurt us but by our own hands. Satan could not hurt us, if our own corruption betrayed us not. Afflictions cannot hurt us without our own impatience. Temptations cannot hurt us, without our own yieldance. Death could not hurt us, without the sting of our own sins. Sins could not hurt us, without our own impenitence.” [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our own actions and inner flaws are the true sources of harm; external forces cannot hurt us without our participation. **In simple terms:** Self‑inflicted harm dominates. Key Takeaway Cultivate inner virtue. Themes responsibility self‑control spirituality Mood thoughtful serene Type moral spiritual When to use this quote - personal health - conflict resolution - addiction recovery - ethical decision‑making Key Concepts Christian ethics psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you guard against self‑sabotage? - What habits reduce inner impatience? A Different Perspective External events can still cause pain despite inner strength. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Affliction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affliction/) [Corruption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corruption/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Impatience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impatience/) [Satan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satan/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Sins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sins/) [Temptation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temptation/) ## Related quotes > [“One reason Christians respond positively to a needs psychology is that it takes people's pain seriously. However, this perspective can actually make pain worse.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-t-welch/one-reason-christians-respond-positively-to-a-needs-psychology-is/) [Edward T. Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-t-welch/) > [Temptations hurt not, though they have accesse; Satan o'ercomes none but by willingnesse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/temptations-hurt-not-though-they-have-accesse-satan-o-ercomes-none/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [“The only way anyone ever won a war, is to make the enemy hurt so bad that he can't stand it any more. ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/the-only-way-anyone-ever-won-a-war-is-to-make-the-enemy-hurt-so-bad/) [George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/) > [You have enemies. For who can live on this earth without them? Take heed to yourselves: love them. In no way can your enemy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/you-have-enemies-for-who-can-live-on-this-earth-without-them-take/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [One enemy can do more hurt than ten friends can do good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/one-enemy-can-do-more-hurt-than-ten-friends-can-do-good/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [Your reactions to your enemy can hurt you more than your enemy can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-hurnard/your-reactions-to-your-enemy-can-hurt-you-more-than-your-enemy-can/) [Hannah Hurnard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-hurnard/) > [If there is a negative person in ur life who does nothing but bring u down and hurt u, then you should respect urself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-there-is-a-negative-person-in-ur-life-who-does-nothing-but-bring-u/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When we freely forgive others who have hurt us, our angel brings us a special blessing of love from God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatoufey/when-we-freely-forgive-others-who-have-hurt-us-our-angel-brings-us-a/) Ritu Ghatoufey > [“This was a success in itself, but it came with an added and unexpected benefit: The act of thinking about the problem and responding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/this-was-a-success-in-itself-but-it-came-with-an-added-and-unexpected/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [The truth is sometimes a hard pill to swallow. It sometimes causes us difficulties at home and abroad. It is sometimes used by our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/the-truth-is-sometimes-a-hard-pill-to-swallow-it-sometimes-causes-us/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [For the are times in life where we need to make choices choices that will hurt us presently but make us smile in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simphiwe-scientist-dumi/for-the-are-times-in-life-where-we-need-to-make-choices-choices-that/) [Simphiwe Scientist Dumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simphiwe-scientist-dumi/) > [Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don’t learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/cynicism-masquerades-as-wisdom-but-it-is-the-farthest-thing-from-it/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [“Most of us are so enthralled with the scary tigers in our minds--our stories of loneliness, rejection, grief--that we don't realize they are in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/most-of-us-are-so-enthralled-with-the-scary-tigers-in-our-minds-our/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [“Are we paying attention to what is important, inhibiting the things that will not help or will hurt us, and keeping current?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/are-we-paying-attention-to-what-is-important-inhibiting-the-things/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [When you give your 100% to your compromises then they become sacrifices… And sacrifices never hurt us,they give us a smile on our face,a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/when-you-give-your-100-to-your-compromises-then-they-become/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) ## More by Joseph Hall > [A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep their eyes on the spot where the crack was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/a-reputation-once-broken-may-possibly-be-repaired-but-the-world-will/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [And, if I were so low that I accounted myself the worst of all, yet some would account themselves in worse case.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/and-if-i-were-so-low-that-i-accounted-myself-the-worst-of-all-yet/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [The life of doctrine is in application.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/the-life-of-doctrine-is-in-application/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [Words are as they are taken, and things are as they are used. There are even cursed blessings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/words-are-as-they-are-taken-and-things-are-as-they-are-used-there-are/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [We must first pray, that God would make us wise; before we can wish, he would make us happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/we-must-first-pray-that-god-would-make-us-wise-before-we-can-wish-he/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [I account this body nothing but a close prison to my soul; and the earth a larger prison to my body. I may not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/i-account-this-body-nothing-but-a-close-prison-to-my-soul-and-the/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [Satan would seem to be mannerly and reasonable; making as if he would be content with one-half of the heart, whereas God challengeth all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/satan-would-seem-to-be-mannerly-and-reasonable-making-as-if-he-would/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [It is not the bee's touching on the flowers that gathers the honey, but her abiding for a time upon them, and drawing out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/it-is-not-the-bee-s-touching-on-the-flowers-that-gathers-the-honey/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [I have seldom seen much ostentation and much learning met together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/i-have-seldom-seen-much-ostentation-and-much-learning-met-together/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [Mark in what order: first, our calling; then, our election; not beginning with our election first. By our calling, arguing our election.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/mark-in-what-order-first-our-calling-then-our-election-not-beginning/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [Fools measure actions, after they are done, by the event; wise men beforehand, by the rules of reason and right. The former look to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/fools-measure-actions-after-they-are-done-by-the-event-wise-men/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [Earthly greatness is a nice thing, and requires so much chariness in the managing, as the contentment of it cannot requite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/earthly-greatness-is-a-nice-thing-and-requires-so-much-chariness-in/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [A good man is kinder to his enemy than bad men are to their friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/a-good-man-is-kinder-to-his-enemy-than-bad-men-are-to-their-friends/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [The ear and the eye are the mind's receivers; but the tongue is only busy in expending the treasures received. It, therefore, the revenues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/the-ear-and-the-eye-are-the-mind-s-receivers-but-the-tongue-is-only/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [What fools are we, to be besotted with the love of our own trouble, and to hate our liberty and rest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/what-fools-are-we-to-be-besotted-with-the-love-of-our-own-trouble-and/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) [Explore all 91 Joseph Hall quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) ## More Affliction quotes > [I don't feel insecure about any of this work anymore. Maybe I don't have what I had when I was younger. I'm not really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-norton/i-don-t-feel-insecure-about-any-of-this-work-anymore-maybe-i-don-t/) [Edward Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-norton/) > [Every man will have his own criterion in forming his judgment of others. I depend very much on the effect of affliction. I consider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cecil/every-man-will-have-his-own-criterion-in-forming-his-judgment-of/) [Richard Cecil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-cecil/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There is nothing in afflictions which ought to disturb our joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/there-is-nothing-in-afflictions-which-ought-to-disturb-our-joy/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [Come, then, affliction, if my Father wills, and be my frowning friend. A friend that frowns is better than a smiling enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/come-then-affliction-if-my-father-wills-and-be-my-frowning-friend-a/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Henceforth, I'll bear Affliction till it do cry out itself, 'Enough, enough, and die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/henceforth-i-ll-bear-affliction-till-it-do-cry-out-itself-enough/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [New materials are one of the great afflictions of contemporary art. Some artists confuse new materials with new ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sol-lewitt/new-materials-are-one-of-the-great-afflictions-of-contemporary-art/) [Sol LeWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sol-lewitt/) > [Aimee Parkison offers a distinct new voice to contemporary fiction. Her seductive stories explore childhood as a realm of sorrows, and reveal the afflictions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-anshaw/aimee-parkison-offers-a-distinct-new-voice-to-contemporary-fiction/) [Carol Anshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-anshaw/) > [May I strike my heart's keys clearly, and may none fail because of slack, uncertain, or fraying strings. May the tears that stream down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/may-i-strike-my-heart-s-keys-clearly-and-may-none-fail-because-of/) [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) > [We are infinitely more than our limitations and afflictions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/we-are-infinitely-more-than-our-limitations-and-afflictions/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [God measures out affliction to our need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-john-chrysostom/god-measures-out-affliction-to-our-need/) [Saint John Chrysostom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-john-chrysostom/) > [Afflictions make the heart more deep, more experimental, more knowing and profound, and so, more able to hold, to contain, and beat more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/afflictions-make-the-heart-more-deep-more-experimental-more-knowing/) [John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/) > [Religion prescribes to every miserable man the means of bettering his condition; nay, it shows him that the bearing of his afflictions as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/religion-prescribes-to-every-miserable-man-the-means-of-bettering-his/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Short-term amnesia is not the worst affliction if you have an Irish flair for the sauce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-mailer/short-term-amnesia-is-not-the-worst-affliction-if-you-have-an-irish/) [Norman Mailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-mailer/) > [Revolution will free society of its afflictions, while science will free the individual of his.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-vargas-llosa/revolution-will-free-society-of-its-afflictions-while-science-will/) [Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-vargas-llosa/) [Browse all 598 Affliction quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affliction/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is no enemy can hurt us but by our own hands. 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