--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nothing is more dreadful than private…" description: "\"Nothing is more dreadful than private duels in America. The two adversaries attack each other like wild beasts. Then it is that they might well covet t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bc/jules-verne-795_adversaries_nothing-is-more-dreadful-than-private-du_1619220.jpg" --- # Nothing is more dreadful than private duels in America… ![“Nothing is more dreadful than private duels in America. The two adversaries attack each other like wild beasts. Then it is that they might well covet those wonderful properties of the Indians of the prairies - their quick intelligence, their ingenious cunning, their scent of the enemy.” quote by Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bc/jules-verne-795_adversaries_nothing-is-more-dreadful-than-private-du_1619220.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bc/jules-verne-795_adversaries_nothing-is-more-dreadful-than-private-du_1619220.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bc/jules-verne-795_adversaries_nothing-is-more-dreadful-than-private-du_1619220.jpg) > “Nothing is more dreadful than private duels in America. The two adversaries attack each other like wild beasts. Then it is that they might well covet those wonderful properties of the Indians of the prairies - their quick intelligence, their ingenious cunning, their scent of the enemy.” [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote warns that personal conflicts in America are savage and wasteful, contrasting them with the admired qualities of Native Americans such as quick wit and strategic cunning. **In simple terms:** Private fights are brutal and wasteful, unlike the cleverness of Native peoples. Key Takeaway Avoid needless conflict; value strategic thinking. Themes conflict culture strategy identity colonialism Mood reflective critical thoughtful Type analytical philosophical cautionary When to use this quote - political debates - business negotiations - personal disputes - team dynamics Key Concepts human nature cultural contrast survival instincts Questions to Reflect On - What can we learn from the admired qualities without idealizing? - How do we resolve conflicts constructively? A Different Perspective It romanticizes Native traits without acknowledging historical oppression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adversaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversaries/) [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [America Adversaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america-adversaries-247424/) [Cunning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cunning/) [Duels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duels/) [Duels America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duels-america-247423/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Ingenious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ingenious/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Private Duels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/private-duels-247422/) [Scent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scent/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Wild beast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wild-beast/) [Wonderful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonderful/) ## Related quotes > [But people only die in proper duels, you know, with real wizards. The most you and Malfoy’ll be able to do is send sparks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-people-only-die-in-proper-duels-you-know-with-real-wizards-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I've given her signs! I've given her plenty of signs. What does she want me to do? Slap him across the face with my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-ringle/i-ve-given-her-signs-i-ve-given-her-plenty-of-signs-what-does-she/) [Molly Ringle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-ringle/) > [If all seconds were as averse to duels as their principals, very little blood would be shed in that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/if-all-seconds-were-as-averse-to-duels-as-their-principals-very/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [“Under the Republic dueling was forbidden, but it was not in the German character to forego a custom so dear to our young fire-eaters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathrine-kressmann-taylor/under-the-republic-dueling-was-forbidden-but-it-was-not-in-the-german/) [Kathrine Kressmann Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathrine-kressmann-taylor/) > [“No doubt a majority of the duels fought have been for want of moral courage on the part of those engaged to decline.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/no-doubt-a-majority-of-the-duels-fought-have-been-for-want-of-moral/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [I can't win all my duels or be perfect all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordi-alba/i-can-t-win-all-my-duels-or-be-perfect-all-the-time/) [Jordi Alba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordi-alba/) > [“It was a damned near-run thing, I must admit,' said Jack, modestly; then after a pause he laughed and said, 'I remember your using…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/it-was-a-damned-near-run-thing-i-must-admit-said-jack-modestly-then/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [Sometimes pitchers' duels are just as interesting as home-run affairs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cris-collinsworth/sometimes-pitchers-duels-are-just-as-interesting-as-home-run-affairs/) [Cris Collinsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cris-collinsworth/) > [“Brave men don't fight for nothing, like children.' protested Howell's (Major Joe Howell) friend. 'We want to know what we are fighting about. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-asbury/brave-men-don-t-fight-for-nothing-like-children-protested-howell-s/) [Herbert Asbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-asbury/) > [“True, duels were fought by convention at dawn in isolated locations to ensure the privacy of the gentlemen involved. But were they fought behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amor-towles/true-duels-were-fought-by-convention-at-dawn-in-isolated-locations-to/) [Amor Towles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amor-towles/) > [With respect to duels, indeed, I have my own ideas. Few things in this so surprising world strike me with more surprise. Two little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/with-respect-to-duels-indeed-i-have-my-own-ideas-few-things-in-this/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [I go hunting for my opponents high up the field, and I put stock in physical one-on-ones and winning individual duels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giorgio-chiellini/i-go-hunting-for-my-opponents-high-up-the-field-and-i-put-stock-in/) [Giorgio Chiellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giorgio-chiellini/) > [I've been involved in more Georgian period duels than I ever thought I would in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rege-jean-page/i-ve-been-involved-in-more-georgian-period-duels-than-i-ever-thought/) [Rege-Jean Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rege-jean-page/) > [I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/i-thoroughly-disapprove-of-duels-if-a-man-should-challenge-me-i-would/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [It's hard for people to understand that when five or six guys are together working intensely, they can really get into some duels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dickey-betts/it-s-hard-for-people-to-understand-that-when-five-or-six-guys-are/) [Dickey Betts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dickey-betts/) ## More by Jules Verne > [Look with all your eyes, look.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/look-with-all-your-eyes-look/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [“As I remarked before, the Asiatic elephant is smaller than the African, which is frequently twelve feet high, and its tusks are in proportion.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/as-i-remarked-before-the-asiatic-elephant-is-smaller-than-the-african/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [As long as a man's heart beats, as long as a man's flesh quivers, I do not allow that a being gifted with thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/as-long-as-a-man-s-heart-beats-as-long-as-a-man-s-flesh-quivers-i-do/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [Now, when an American has an idea, he directly seeks a second American to share it. If there be three, they elect a president…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/now-when-an-american-has-an-idea-he-directly-seeks-a-second-american/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [Well, my friend, this earth will one day be that cold corpse; it will become uninhabitable and uninhabited like the moon, which has long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/well-my-friend-this-earth-will-one-day-be-that-cold-corpse-it-will/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [Ah! Young people, travel if you can, and if you cannot - travel all the same!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/ah-young-people-travel-if-you-can-and-if-you-cannot-travel-all-the/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [It is always a vulgar and often an unhealthy pastime, and it is a vice which does not go alone; the man who gambles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/it-is-always-a-vulgar-and-often-an-unhealthy-pastime-and-it-is-a-vice/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [“My uncle” is the natives’ usual name for the tiger, they believing that the soul of each of their ancestors is lodged for eternity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/my-uncle-is-the-natives-usual-name-for-the-tiger-they-believing-that/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [“Kâlagani evidently knew this thinly-peopled region perfectly, and guided us across it most admirably. On the 29th September our train began to ascend the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/k-lagani-evidently-knew-this-thinly-peopled-region-perfectly-and/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [Well, I feel that we should always put a little art into what we do. It's better that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/well-i-feel-that-we-should-always-put-a-little-art-into-what-we-do-it/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [“— Isola in vendita per contanti, più le spese, al miglior offerente! — andava ripetendo a perdifiato Dean Felporg, banditore dell'auction, in cui venivano…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/isola-in-vendita-per-contanti-pi-le-spese-al-miglior-offerente-andava/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [It is certain," exclaimed my uncle in a tone of triumph. "But silence, do you hear me? silence upon the whole subject; and let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/it-is-certain-exclaimed-my-uncle-in-a-tone-of-triumph-but-silence-do/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [Man, a mere inhabitant of the earth, cannot overstep its boundaries! But though he is confined to its crust, he may penetrate into all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/man-a-mere-inhabitant-of-the-earth-cannot-overstep-its-boundaries-but/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [On the surface of the ocean, men wage war and destroy each other; but down here, just a few feet beneath the surface, there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/on-the-surface-of-the-ocean-men-wage-war-and-destroy-each-other-but/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [In presence of Nature's grand convulsions man is powerless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/in-presence-of-nature-s-grand-convulsions-man-is-powerless/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) [Explore all 331 Jules Verne quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) ## More Adversaries quotes > [In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/in-all-matters-of-opinion-our-adversaries-are-insane/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Inanimate objects are sometimes parties to litigation. A ship has a legal personality, a fiction found useful for maritime purposes. The corporation sole -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-o-douglas/inanimate-objects-are-sometimes-parties-to-litigation-a-ship-has-a/) [William O. Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-o-douglas/) > [There were various aspects of Sun Tzu's approach that appealed to Ho Chi Minh: a) to learn to understand both the enemy and yourself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-duiker/there-were-various-aspects-of-sun-tzu-s-approach-that-appealed-to-ho/) [William J. Duiker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-duiker/) > [Marriage, in my view, should be a balanced stalemate between equal adversaries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/marriage-in-my-view-should-be-a-balanced-stalemate-between-equal/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If an adversary didn't target our power plants but they did target the core routers, the backbones that tie our internet connections together, entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/if-an-adversary-didn-t-target-our-power-plants-but-they-did-target/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [It's like I'm married to the silencer, Until I file for divorce and release my ex-calibers. Do art with your arteries, place that for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pharoahe-monch/it-s-like-i-m-married-to-the-silencer-until-i-file-for-divorce-and/) [Pharoahe Monch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pharoahe-monch/) > [Educational exchange can turn nations into people, contributing as no other form of communication can to the humanizing of international relations. Man's capacity for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-william-fulbright/educational-exchange-can-turn-nations-into-people-contributing-as-no/) [J. William Fulbright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-william-fulbright/) > [Obama is hardly the first president to seek rapprochement with our adversaries and reconciliation with our enemies, of course. But his determination to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-f-hayes/obama-is-hardly-the-first-president-to-seek-rapprochement-with-our/) [Stephen F. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-f-hayes/) > [It is better to make friends than adversaries of a conquered race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-haydon/it-is-better-to-make-friends-than-adversaries-of-a-conquered-race/) [Benjamin Haydon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-haydon/) > [“The most courageous act in politics is to try to understand your opponent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/the-most-courageous-act-in-politics-is-to-try-to-understand-your/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [My adversary is the world of finance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/my-adversary-is-the-world-of-finance/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [Often GOP political strategy seems like the human wave theory of the Chinese military translated to politics. 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They can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/we-should-seek-after-spiritual-gifts-they-can-lead-us-to-god-they-can/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) [Browse all 446 Adversaries quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversaries/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Nothing is more dreadful than private duels in America. The two adversaries attack each other like wild beasts. 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