--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Inflict not on an enemy every injury in…" description: "\"Inflict not on an enemy every injury in your power, for he may afterwards become your friend.\" — Saadi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/saadi-2340_enemy_inflict-not-on-an-enemy-every-injury-in_895354.png" --- # Inflict not on an enemy every injury in your power, for he… ![“Inflict not on an enemy every injury in your power, for he may afterwards become your friend.” quote by Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/saadi-2340_enemy_inflict-not-on-an-enemy-every-injury-in_895354.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/saadi-2340_enemy_inflict-not-on-an-enemy-every-injury-in_895354.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/saadi-2340_enemy_inflict-not-on-an-enemy-every-injury-in_895354.png) > “Inflict not on an enemy every injury in your power, for he may afterwards become your friend.” [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Compassionate restraint prevents harm; enemies may become allies if treated kindly. **In simple terms:** Don’t hurt enemies; they may become friends. Key Takeaway Practice empathy even toward adversaries. Themes compassion conflict resolution forgiveness Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - political negotiations - workplace disputes - family feuds Key Concepts ethical conduct social harmony personal growth Questions to Reflect On - When can you turn a rival into a collaborator? - What limits empathy in conflict? A Different Perspective Kindness may be exploited if not balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Enemy Injury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy-injury-1189406/) [Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Inflict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inflict/) [Inflict Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inflict-enemy-1189405/) [Injury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/injury/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Medieval war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medieval-war/) [Power Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-friend-886129/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [There is no finer revenge than that which others inflict on your enemy. Moreover, it has the advantage of leaving you the role of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesare-pavese/there-is-no-finer-revenge-than-that-which-others-inflict-on-your/) [Cesare Pavese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesare-pavese/) > [“In war, the damage you inflict on the enemy might be immediately apparent. The damage you inflict on yourself in doing so will only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-stafford/in-war-the-damage-you-inflict-on-the-enemy-might-be-immediately/) [Stewart Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-stafford/) > [The proper way to create friends is to have a warm heart, not simply money or power. The friend of power and the friend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-proper-way-to-create-friends-is-to-have-a-warm-heart-not-simply/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [You are the cause of your own joy or your own misery. You hold that power. You are your own friend and your own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-satchidananda/you-are-the-cause-of-your-own-joy-or-your-own-misery-you-hold-that/) [Swami Satchidananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-satchidananda/) > [A friend in power is a friend lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/a-friend-in-power-is-a-friend-lost/) [Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/) > [When you see contention amongst your enemies, go and sit at ease with your friends; but when you see them of one mind, string…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/when-you-see-contention-amongst-your-enemies-go-and-sit-at-ease-with/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [if I inflict wounds, I heal them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-de-rabutin-chantal-marquise-de-sevigne/if-i-inflict-wounds-i-heal-them/) [Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, marquise de Sevigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-de-rabutin-chantal-marquise-de-sevigne/) > [Everyone knows that the broadband era will breed a new generation of online services, but this is only half of the story. Like any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-platt/everyone-knows-that-the-broadband-era-will-breed-a-new-generation-of/) [Charles Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-platt/) > [“It is the mark of a supreme soul not know how to inflict pain on others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/it-is-the-mark-of-a-supreme-soul-not-know-how-to-inflict-pain-on/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [“It is not those who can inflict the most, but those that can suffer the most who will prevail.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-james-macswiney/it-is-not-those-who-can-inflict-the-most-but-those-that-can-suffer/) [Terence James MacSwiney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-james-macswiney/) > [“I ask you, why did the gods inflict me with brothers?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/i-ask-you-why-did-the-gods-inflict-me-with-brothers/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [There is no pain equal to that which two lovers can inflict on one another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyril-connolly/there-is-no-pain-equal-to-that-which-two-lovers-can-inflict-on-one/) [Cyril Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyril-connolly/) > [I don’t work. I merely inflict myself on the public.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-morley/i-don-t-work-i-merely-inflict-myself-on-the-public/) [Robert Morley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-morley/) > [I try to inflict as much damage as possible, at all costs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-condit/i-try-to-inflict-as-much-damage-as-possible-at-all-costs/) [Carlos Condit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-condit/) > [“Rather than being incensed by the nature of the bruise, maybe we should be inspired by the possibilities in the bruise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/rather-than-being-incensed-by-the-nature-of-the-bruise-maybe-we/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) ## More by Saadi > [Human beings are members of a whole, In creation of one essence and soul. If one member is afflicted with pain, Other members uneasy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/human-beings-are-members-of-a-whole-in-creation-of-one-essence-and/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [If thou art of elephant-strength or of lion-claw, still peace is, in my opinion, better than strife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/if-thou-art-of-elephant-strength-or-of-lion-claw-still-peace-is-in-my/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Astride a horse I am not, nor camel-like carry a load, Subjects I have none, nor follow any sultan's code; I worry not for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/astride-a-horse-i-am-not-nor-camel-like-carry-a-load-subjects-i-have/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Whatever is produced in haste goes hastily to waste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/whatever-is-produced-in-haste-goes-hastily-to-waste/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [The rose and thorn, the treasure and dragon, joy and sorrow, all mingle into one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/the-rose-and-thorn-the-treasure-and-dragon-joy-and-sorrow-all-mingle/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [When the ruler is obedient to God, God is his protector and friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/when-the-ruler-is-obedient-to-god-god-is-his-protector-and-friend/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Riches are for the comfort of life, and not life for the accumulation of riches. I asked a holy wise man, "Who is fortunate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/riches-are-for-the-comfort-of-life-and-not-life-for-the-accumulation/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Where the hand of tyranny is long we do not see the lips of men open with laughter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/where-the-hand-of-tyranny-is-long-we-do-not-see-the-lips-of-men-open/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [All human beings are limbs of the same body. God created them from the same essence. If one part of the body suffers pain,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/all-human-beings-are-limbs-of-the-same-body-god-created-them-from-the/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Roam abroad in the world, and take thy fill of its enjoyments before the day shall come when thou must quit it for good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/roam-abroad-in-the-world-and-take-thy-fill-of-its-enjoyments-before/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [It is wrong to follow the advice of an adversary; nevertheless it is right to hear it, that you may do the contrary; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/it-is-wrong-to-follow-the-advice-of-an-adversary-nevertheless-it-is/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [A man is insensible to the relish of prosperity 'til he has tasted adversity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/a-man-is-insensible-to-the-relish-of-prosperity-til-he-has-tasted/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [If thou art wise, incline to truth; for truth, not the semblance, remains in its place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/if-thou-art-wise-incline-to-truth-for-truth-not-the-semblance-remains/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Patience accomplishes its object, while hurry speeds to its ruin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/patience-accomplishes-its-object-while-hurry-speeds-to-its-ruin/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [He who, when he hath the power, doeth not good, when he loses the means will suffer distress. There is not a more unfortunate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/he-who-when-he-hath-the-power-doeth-not-good-when-he-loses-the-means/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) [Explore all 159 Saadi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) ## More Enemy quotes > [Shall there be truth between us, as two men? Not as friends, but as enemies and equals?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/shall-there-be-truth-between-us-as-two-men-not-as-friends-but-as/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [“Before you were my enemy, you were my best friend.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/before-you-were-my-enemy-you-were-my-best-friend/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-our-forces-are-ten-to-the-enemy-s-one-to/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Fear is a man's worst enemy, but love is a man's most powerful weapon against anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fear-is-a-man-s-worst-enemy-but-love-is-a-man-s-most-powerful-weapon/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The surprise of an army is now next to an impossibility. ... Prearranged surprises are rare and difficult because in order to plan one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-henri-jomini/the-surprise-of-an-army-is-now-next-to-an-impossibility-prearranged/) [Antoine-Henri Jomini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-henri-jomini/) > [“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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-k-hasan/) > [The concept of humanity is an especially useful ideological instrument of imperialist expansion, and in its ethical-humanitarian form it is a specific vehicle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-schmitt/the-concept-of-humanity-is-an-especially-useful-ideological/) [Carl Schmitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-schmitt/) > [Pain held no terror for him. Pain was, if not friend, then family, something he had grown up with in his crèche, learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/pain-held-no-terror-for-him-pain-was-if-not-friend-then-family/) [Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/) > [To achieve victory we must mass our forces at the hub of all power & movement. The enemy's 'Center of Gravity'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-achieve-victory-we-must-mass-our-forces-at-the-hub-of-all-power/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [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/) > [The invention of gunpowder and the constant improvement of firearms are enough in themselves to show that the advance of civilization has done nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/the-invention-of-gunpowder-and-the-constant-improvement-of-firearms/) [Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/) > [Perfection is the enemy of greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/perfection-is-the-enemy-of-greatness/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [In this business, you find the enemy, then go after and destroy him. Everything else is rubbish!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-rickenbacker/in-this-business-you-find-the-enemy-then-go-after-and-destroy-him/) [Eddie Rickenbacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-rickenbacker/) > [“Enemies Teach. Friends Preach.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tapan-ghosh/enemies-teach-friends-preach/) [Tapan Ghosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tapan-ghosh/) [Browse all 7,981 Enemy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Inflict not on an enemy every injury in your power, for he may afterwards become your friend.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Saadi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/inflict-not-on-an-enemy-every-injury-in-your-power-for-he-may/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Enemy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/inflict-not-on-an-enemy-every-injury-in-your-power-for-he-may/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/saadi-2340_enemy_inflict-not-on-an-enemy-every-injury-in_895354.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/saadi-2340_enemy_inflict-not-on-an-enemy-every-injury-in_895354.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/saadi-2340_enemy_inflict-not-on-an-enemy-every-injury-in_895354.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Inflict not on an enemy every injury in your power, for he may afterwards become your friend.” — Saadi", "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": "Saadi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Inflict not on an enemy every...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/inflict-not-on-an-enemy-every-injury-in-your-power-for-he-may/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/inflict-not-on-an-enemy-every-injury-in-your-power-for-he-may/#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 } } ] } ```