--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is much safer to reconcile an enemy…" description: "\"It is much safer to reconcile an enemy than to conquer him; victory may deprive him of his poison, but reconciliation of his will.\" — Owen Feltham" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/762/owen-feltham-9361_conquer_it-is-much-safer-to-reconcile-an-enemy-t_1775184.jpg" --- # It is much safer to reconcile an enemy than to conquer… ![“It is much safer to reconcile an enemy than to conquer him; victory may deprive him of his poison, but reconciliation of his will.” quote by Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/762/owen-feltham-9361_conquer_it-is-much-safer-to-reconcile-an-enemy-t_1775184.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/762/owen-feltham-9361_conquer_it-is-much-safer-to-reconcile-an-enemy-t_1775184.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/762/owen-feltham-9361_conquer_it-is-much-safer-to-reconcile-an-enemy-t_1775184.jpg) > “It is much safer to reconcile an enemy than to conquer him; victory may deprive him of his poison, but reconciliation of his will.” [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reconciling an opponent is safer than defeating them, as it removes their harmful influence while preserving their agency. **In simple terms:** Reconcile rather than conquer to neutralize threat. Key Takeaway Seek peace over domination. Themes conflict resolution leadership ethics Mood thoughtful strategic Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - diplomacy - business negotiations - community mediation Key Concepts political strategy human psychology Questions to Reflect On - What risks do you accept when choosing peace over victory? - How can you ensure reconciliation is genuine? A Different Perspective Reconciliation may still leave underlying tensions unresolved. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Peacebuilding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peacebuilding/) [Poison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poison/) [Reconciliation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reconciliation/) [Victory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victory/) ## Related quotes > [Reconciliation is a deep practice that we can do with our listening and our mindful speech. To reconcile means to bring peace and happiness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/reconciliation-is-a-deep-practice-that-we-can-do-with-our-listening/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [“The Life of Pi' timelessly encapsulates an objectively true & real meme that God is Love and seeks out those He calls unto himself."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/the-life-of-pi-timelessly-encapsulates-an-objectively-true-real-meme/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [A poet is deeply conflicted and it's in his work that he reconciles those deep conflicts. The place is the harbor. It doesn't set…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-layton/a-poet-is-deeply-conflicted-and-it-s-in-his-work-that-he-reconciles/) [Irving Layton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-layton/) > [You can't demand truth and reconciliation. You have to demand truth - people have to hear it, and then they have to want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-stevenson/you-can-t-demand-truth-and-reconciliation-you-have-to-demand-truth/) [Bryan Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-stevenson/) > [“Contradictions are the impossible chasms that create forever separations. God is the forever bridge that creates impossible reunions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/contradictions-are-the-impossible-chasms-that-create-forever/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [To reconcile conflicting parties, we must have the ability to understand the suffering of both sides. If we take sides, it is impossible to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/to-reconcile-conflicting-parties-we-must-have-the-ability-to/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [“There is hope for every man to return to his Maker.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/there-is-hope-for-every-man-to-return-to-his-maker/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“To reconcile ourselves with one another, we must release our judgments and make peace with the fact that we are one. This country was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/to-reconcile-ourselves-with-one-another-we-must-release-our-judgments/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Within white Australia, there was a growing movement for what was known as reconciliation - a movement that peaked with millions marching in 2000…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-flanagan/within-white-australia-there-was-a-growing-movement-for-what-was/) [Richard Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-flanagan/) > [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/) > [I do think it is harder to acknowledge our strengths, or to forgive ourselves and each other for our shortcomings, when there has not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cleave/i-do-think-it-is-harder-to-acknowledge-our-strengths-or-to-forgive/) [Chris Cleave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cleave/) > [Reconciliation means - in victory, I win and you're wrong, and then you lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/reconciliation-means-in-victory-i-win-and-you-re-wrong-and-then-you/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [Overall relations between the North and the South have developed in favor of national reconciliation, unity and reunification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-jong-il/overall-relations-between-the-north-and-the-south-have-developed-in/) [Kim Jong Il](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-jong-il/) > [Too many people think that reconciliation means you soft-pedal differences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/too-many-people-think-that-reconciliation-means-you-soft-pedal/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [One of the most basic principles for making and keeping peace within and between nations. . . is that in political, military, moral, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/one-of-the-most-basic-principles-for-making-and-keeping-peace-within/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) ## More by Owen Feltham > [The boundary of man is moderation. When once we pass that pale our guardian angel quits his charge of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/the-boundary-of-man-is-moderation-when-once-we-pass-that-pale-our/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Of all trees, I observe God hath chosen the vine, a low plant that creeps upon the helpful wall; of all beasts, the soft…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/of-all-trees-i-observe-god-hath-chosen-the-vine-a-low-plant-that/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [To go to law is for two persons to kindle a fire, at their own cost, to warm others and singe themselves to cinders;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/to-go-to-law-is-for-two-persons-to-kindle-a-fire-at-their-own-cost-to/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Virtue is the truest liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/virtue-is-the-truest-liberty/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Fear, if it be not immoderate, puts a guard about us that does watch and defend us; but credulity keeps us naked, and lays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/fear-if-it-be-not-immoderate-puts-a-guard-about-us-that-does-watch/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Where there is plenty, charity is a duty, not a courtesy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/where-there-is-plenty-charity-is-a-duty-not-a-courtesy/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Meditation is the soul's perspective glass, whereby, in her long remove, she discerneth God, as if He were nearer at hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/meditation-is-the-soul-s-perspective-glass-whereby-in-her-long-remove/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Truth and fidelity are the pillars of the temple of the world; when these are broken, the fabric falls, and crushes all to pieces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/truth-and-fidelity-are-the-pillars-of-the-temple-of-the-world-when/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [There is no one subsists by himself alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/there-is-no-one-subsists-by-himself-alone/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Promises may get friends, but it is performance that must nurse and keep them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/promises-may-get-friends-but-it-is-performance-that-must-nurse-and/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [It is rare to see a rich man religious; for religion preaches restraint, and riches prompt to unlicensed freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/it-is-rare-to-see-a-rich-man-religious-for-religion-preaches/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Pleasures can undo a man at any time, if yielded to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/pleasures-can-undo-a-man-at-any-time-if-yielded-to/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Human life has not a surer friend, nor oftentimes a greater enemy, than hope. It is the miserable man's god, which in the hardest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/human-life-has-not-a-surer-friend-nor-oftentimes-a-greater-enemy-than/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Negligence is the rust of the soul that corrodes through all her best resolves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/negligence-is-the-rust-of-the-soul-that-corrodes-through-all-her-best/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [To be gentle is the test of a lady.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/to-be-gentle-is-the-test-of-a-lady/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) [Explore all 73 Owen Feltham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) ## More Conquer quotes > [There are no more worlds to conquer!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/there-are-no-more-worlds-to-conquer/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [With multiplayer, permanent death, and an ever-changing world to explore and conquer, 'A Valley Without Wind' might be the place you're looking for if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-manuel/with-multiplayer-permanent-death-and-an-ever-changing-world-to/) [Rob Manuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-manuel/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Man will not always stay on Earth; the pursuit of light and space will lead him to penetrate the bounds of the atmosphere, timidly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konstantin-tsiolkovsky/man-will-not-always-stay-on-earth-the-pursuit-of-light-and-space-will/) [Konstantin Tsiolkovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konstantin-tsiolkovsky/) > [It is not enough to dream of the Impossible Love - it is necessary to conquer it too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/it-is-not-enough-to-dream-of-the-impossible-love-it-is-necessary-to/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“Give me 26 lead soldiers and I will conquer the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/give-me-26-lead-soldiers-and-i-will-conquer-the-world/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I'm ready to conquer anything thrown at me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-pritchard/i-m-ready-to-conquer-anything-thrown-at-me/) [A. J. Pritchard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-pritchard/) > [“They had been dreamers. Her father always said that this was why they had been easy to conquer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-rutkoski/they-had-been-dreamers-her-father-always-said-that-this-was-why-they/) [Marie Rutkoski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-rutkoski/) > [The moment you conquer one fear is the minute you conquer many fears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/the-moment-you-conquer-one-fear-is-the-minute-you-conquer-many-fears/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [“In quixotically trying to conquer death doctors all too frequently do no good for their patients’ “ease” but at the same time they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kevorkian/in-quixotically-trying-to-conquer-death-doctors-all-too-frequently-do/) [Jack Kevorkian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kevorkian/) > [Yet hold it more humane, more heav'nly, first, By winning words to conquer willing hearts, And make persuasion do the work of fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/yet-hold-it-more-humane-more-heav-nly-first-by-winning-words-to/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [At the time when this famous historical battle was fought in Kosovo, the people were looking at the stars, expecting aid from them. Now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/slobodan-milosevi/at-the-time-when-this-famous-historical-battle-was-fought-in-kosovo/) [Slobodan Milosević](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/slobodan-milosevi/) > [I can conquer the world with one hand, as long as you are holding the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-smith/i-can-conquer-the-world-with-one-hand-as-long-as-you-are-holding-the/) [Megan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-smith/) > [ To conquer \[our enemies\] we must dare, and dare again, and dare for ever; and thus will France be saved ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-danton/to-conquer-our-enemies-we-must-dare-and-dare-again-and-dare-for-ever/) [Georges Danton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-danton/) > [I consider that the Golden Rule requires that if I like a program I must share it with other people who like it. Software…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stallman/i-consider-that-the-golden-rule-requires-that-if-i-like-a-program-i/) [Richard Stallman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stallman/) Browse all 1,557 Conquer quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is much safer to reconcile an enemy than to conquer him; victory may deprive him of his poison, but reconciliation of his will.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Owen Feltham" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/it-is-much-safer-to-reconcile-an-enemy-than-to-conquer-him-victory/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Conquer" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/it-is-much-safer-to-reconcile-an-enemy-than-to-conquer-him-victory/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/762/owen-feltham-9361_conquer_it-is-much-safer-to-reconcile-an-enemy-t_1775184.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/762/owen-feltham-9361_conquer_it-is-much-safer-to-reconcile-an-enemy-t_1775184.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/762/owen-feltham-9361_conquer_it-is-much-safer-to-reconcile-an-enemy-t_1775184.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is much safer to reconcile an enemy than to conquer him; victory may deprive him of his poison, but…” — Owen Feltham", "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": "Owen Feltham", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is much safer to reconcile...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/it-is-much-safer-to-reconcile-an-enemy-than-to-conquer-him-victory/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/it-is-much-safer-to-reconcile-an-enemy-than-to-conquer-him-victory/#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 } } ] } ```