--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This is the enemy, what is irreversible…" description: "\"“This is the enemy, what is irreversible, what has already reached the farthest of places. There is no going back. They can bomb bus-loads of tourists,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fec/leila-aboulela-21855_american-flag_this-is-the-enemy-what-is-irreversible-w_2236889.jpg" --- # This is the enemy, what is irreversible, what has already… ![“This is the enemy, what is irreversible, what has already reached the farthest of places. There is no going back. They can bomb bus-loads of tourists, burn the American flag, but they are not shooting the enemy. It is already with them, inside them, what makes them resentful, defensive, what makes…” quote by Leila Aboulela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fec/leila-aboulela-21855_american-flag_this-is-the-enemy-what-is-irreversible-w_2236889.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fec/leila-aboulela-21855_american-flag_this-is-the-enemy-what-is-irreversible-w_2236889.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fec/leila-aboulela-21855_american-flag_this-is-the-enemy-what-is-irreversible-w_2236889.jpg) > ““This is the enemy, what is irreversible, what has already reached the farthest of places. There is no going back. They can bomb bus-loads of tourists, burn the American flag, but they are not shooting the enemy. It is already with them, inside them, what makes them resentful, defensive, what makes them no longer confident of their vision of the world.”” [Leila Aboulela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The enemy is internal, rooted in resentment and defensiveness, making conflict inevitable and irreversible. **In simple terms:** Conflict often stems from inner feelings, not external actions. Key Takeaway Address internal grievances to resolve conflict. Themes psychology conflict identity Mood reflective somber Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - political discourse - personal relationships - social movements Key Concepts internalized trauma nationalism defensiveness Questions to Reflect On - What internal fears fuel external hostility? - How can societies heal internal resentment? A Different Perspective Ignoring internal causes may perpetuate external aggression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American flag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-flag/) [Conformity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformity/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) ## Related quotes > [Better to have one thousand enemies outside the house than to have one single enemy inside it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-bassam/better-to-have-one-thousand-enemies-outside-the-house-than-to-have/) [Ali Bassam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-bassam/) > [“The enemy inside Graham agreed with any accusation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-harris/the-enemy-inside-graham-agreed-with-any-accusation/) [Thomas Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-harris/) > [When we were making The Fugitive, we all thought it was going to bomb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pantoliano/when-we-were-making-the-fugitive-we-all-thought-it-was-going-to-bomb/) [Joe Pantoliano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-pantoliano/) > [We're going to bomb them back into the stone Age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-lemay/we-re-going-to-bomb-them-back-into-the-stone-age/) [Curtis LeMay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-lemay/) > [I actually have to pick and chose stuff that I know I'm going to bomb at.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-griffin/i-actually-have-to-pick-and-chose-stuff-that-i-know-i-m-going-to-bomb/) [Kathy Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-griffin/) > [The Nazis entered this war under the rather childish delusion that they were going to bomb everyone else, and nobody was going to bomb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-arthur-harris-1st-baronet/the-nazis-entered-this-war-under-the-rather-childish-delusion-that/) [Sir Arthur Harris, 1st Baronet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-arthur-harris-1st-baronet/) > [“The war spirit's getting into me again. I have a hundred years of Ohio love behind me and I'm going to bomb out this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/the-war-spirit-s-getting-into-me-again-i-have-a-hundred-years-of-ohio/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [I believe if you’re going to bomb someone you should know them first. It should hurt when you kill someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-steves/i-believe-if-you-re-going-to-bomb-someone-you-should-know-them-first/) [Rick Steves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-steves/) > [When I was 18, I went to the Soviet Union. I kept hearing that America was planning to bomb them - lots of bombs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/when-i-was-18-i-went-to-the-soviet-union-i-kept-hearing-that-america/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [“Leave the broken, irreversible past in God's hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/leave-the-broken-irreversible-past-in-god-s-hands-and-step-out-into/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [Accepting the the past is irreversible and the future doesn't exist means we can actually be in the present moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/accepting-the-the-past-is-irreversible-and-the-future-doesn-t-exist/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Look at situations as contingent, not as inevitable, look at them as the result of a series of historical choices made by men and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-said/look-at-situations-as-contingent-not-as-inevitable-look-at-them-as/) [Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-said/) > [The revolutionary process by which all books, old and new, in all languages, will soon be available digitally, at practically no cost for storage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-epstein/the-revolutionary-process-by-which-all-books-old-and-new-in-all/) [Jason Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-epstein/) > [Can the state, which represents the whole of society and has the duty of protecting society, fulfill that duty by lowering itself to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/can-the-state-which-represents-the-whole-of-society-and-has-the-duty/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [Most people think that aging is irreversible and we know that there are mechanisms even in the human machinery that allow for the reversal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/most-people-think-that-aging-is-irreversible-and-we-know-that-there/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) ## More by Leila Aboulela > [“He said that everything in this world, small or large, was created for a reason. Even the smallest mosquito that bites people and makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/he-said-that-everything-in-this-world-small-or-large-was-created-for/) [Leila Aboulela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/) > [“I am touched by her life, how it moves forward, pulses and springs. There is no fragmentation, nothing stunted or wedged. I circle back,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/i-am-touched-by-her-life-how-it-moves-forward-pulses-and-springs/) [Leila Aboulela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/) > [“So much darkness made her uneasy. There was definitely a weight pushing down on the world. Misfortune was always hovering close around people’s shoulders.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/so-much-darkness-made-her-uneasy-there-was-definitely-a-weight/) [Leila Aboulela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/) > [All through life there were distinctions - toilets for men, toilets for women; clothes for men, clothes for women - then, at the end,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/all-through-life-there-were-distinctions-toilets-for-men-toilets-for/) [Leila Aboulela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/) > [“But for Soraya, words on a page were seductive, free, inviting everyone, without distinction. She could not help it when she found words written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/but-for-soraya-words-on-a-page-were-seductive-free-inviting-everyone/) [Leila Aboulela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/) > [“I like talking to you,' he said, slowly. 'Why?' That was the way to hear nice things. Ask why.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/i-like-talking-to-you-he-said-slowly-why-that-was-the-way-to-hear/) [Leila Aboulela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/) > [I've come down in the world. I've slid to a place where the ceiling is low and there isn't much room for me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/i-ve-come-down-in-the-world-i-ve-slid-to-a-place-where-the-ceiling-is/) [Leila Aboulela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/) > [Allah tests our patience and our fortitude. He tests out strength of faith. be patient and there will endless rewards for you, insha'Allah" -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/allah-tests-our-patience-and-our-fortitude-he-tests-out-strength-of/) [Leila Aboulela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/) > [“He disliked English, not because they had invaded his country, but because of the effort required to understand their different languages and customs. At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/he-disliked-english-not-because-they-had-invaded-his-country-but/) [Leila Aboulela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/) > [“Can I aske forgiveness for someone else, someone whose already dead? Yes, you can. Of course you can. And you can give charity in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/can-i-aske-forgiveness-for-someone-else-someone-whose-already-dead/) [Leila Aboulela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/) > [“This was where she belonged with Nur, right here, here in his songs. Here within the lyrics they were intimate, caught in the rythm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/this-was-where-she-belonged-with-nur-right-here-here-in-his-songs/) [Leila Aboulela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/) > [The sweetest things in life were not necessarily what one strove for and grabbed. Instead, many many times the All-Merciful, the All-Generous would give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/the-sweetest-things-in-life-were-not-necessarily-what-one-strove-for/) [Leila Aboulela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/) > [“I'm not middle-class; I do not have a degree. I am upper-class without money.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/i-m-not-middle-class-i-do-not-have-a-degree-i-am-upper-class-without/) [Leila Aboulela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/) > [“The blow, inevitable in itself, comes straight from the source without any intermediaries.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/the-blow-inevitable-in-itself-comes-straight-from-the-source-without/) [Leila Aboulela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/) > [“In the distant past, Muslim doctors advised nervous people to look up at the sky. Forget the tight earth. Imagine that the sky, all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/in-the-distant-past-muslim-doctors-advised-nervous-people-to-look-up/) [Leila Aboulela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/) [Explore all 28 Leila Aboulela quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/) ## More American flag quotes > [ It wasn't \[Barack\] Obama per se; it was the feeling on the ground; it was seeing an old black woman in a wheelchair being… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-ayers/it-wasn-t-barack-obama-per-se-it-was-the-feeling-on-the-ground-it-was/) [Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-ayers/) > [I wrote the script of Patton. I had this very bizarre opening where he stands up in front of an American flag and gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/i-wrote-the-script-of-patton-i-had-this-very-bizarre-opening-where-he/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [Is burning an American flag a disgusting, reprehensible act? Yes, it absolutely is, and I would tell that to the face of absolutely anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-timpf/is-burning-an-american-flag-a-disgusting-reprehensible-act-yes-it/) [Kat Timpf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-timpf/) > [“America is the wealthiest nation on Earth, but its people are mainly poor, and poor Americans are urged to hate themselves. To quote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/america-is-the-wealthiest-nation-on-earth-but-its-people-are-mainly/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [Colin Kaepernick is the latest professional athlete to spark a national debate about the meaning behind the American flag and the national anthem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahmoud-abdul-rauf/colin-kaepernick-is-the-latest-professional-athlete-to-spark-a/) Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf > [God bless America, land that I love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-berlin/god-bless-america-land-that-i-love/) [Irving Berlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-berlin/) > [“The British government in 1807 had issued the “Orders in Council,” which enforced a naval blockade against France, and with a shortage of seamen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/the-british-government-in-1807-had-issued-the-orders-in-council-which/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [Instead of candidates hiring people, like yours truly, to create campaign media that works on both conscious and subconscious levels to sway the voting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-howard/instead-of-candidates-hiring-people-like-yours-truly-to-create/) [Ron Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-howard/) > [The American flag is an enduring symbol of liberty, democracy, and justice. It is fitting that the House act to protect it as we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-american-flag-is-an-enduring-symbol-of-liberty-democracy-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The night of September the 14th, 1814, saw heavy bombardment of Baltimore by the British. Despite this, the next morning, the large American flag…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-goldstein/the-night-of-september-the-14th-1814-saw-heavy-bombardment-of/) [Jack Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-goldstein/) > [“Superman – Moses in a costume, with his underpants on the outside. Captain America – the poster boy of the mad American patriot. Wonder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sinclair/superman-moses-in-a-costume-with-his-underpants-on-the-outside/) [David Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sinclair/) > [“The bold colors of the American flag stood out over her husband’s coffin. Colors of honor. Colors of freedom. Colors of sacrifice. She’d never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-cross/the-bold-colors-of-the-american-flag-stood-out-over-her-husband-s/) [Lindsay Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-cross/) > [“The 101st was trucked to Utah Beach on July 10, seeing from the land what they had seen from the air the night of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-alexander/the-101st-was-trucked-to-utah-beach-on-july-10-seeing-from-the-land/) Larry Alexander > [I love taking photos of the American flag fluttering in the wind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-capehart/i-love-taking-photos-of-the-american-flag-fluttering-in-the-wind/) [Jonathan Capehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-capehart/) > [“People reacted with hate and fear and then community by wearing American flag shirts, bandannas, crying, huddling, lost, and senseless. They packed the gymnasium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-huang/people-reacted-with-hate-and-fear-and-then-community-by-wearing/) [Eddie Huang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-huang/) [Browse all 158 American flag quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-flag/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“This is the enemy, what is irreversible, what has already reached the farthest of places. There is no going back. They can bomb bus-loads of tourists, burn the American flag, but they are not shooting the enemy. It is already with them, inside them, what makes them resentful, defensive, what makes them no longer confident of their vision of the world.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Leila Aboulela" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/this-is-the-enemy-what-is-irreversible-what-has-already-reached-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "American flag" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/this-is-the-enemy-what-is-irreversible-what-has-already-reached-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fec/leila-aboulela-21855_american-flag_this-is-the-enemy-what-is-irreversible-w_2236889.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fec/leila-aboulela-21855_american-flag_this-is-the-enemy-what-is-irreversible-w_2236889.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fec/leila-aboulela-21855_american-flag_this-is-the-enemy-what-is-irreversible-w_2236889.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“This is the enemy, what is irreversible, what has already reached the farthest of places. There is no going…” — Leila Aboulela", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Leila Aboulela", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-aboulela/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“This is the enemy, what is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/this-is-the-enemy-what-is-irreversible-what-has-already-reached-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-aboulela/this-is-the-enemy-what-is-irreversible-what-has-already-reached-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```