--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have a perfect idea of a natural enemy…" description: "\"“We have a perfect idea of a natural enemy when we think of the devil, because the enmity is perpetual, unalterable and unabateable. It admits, neither..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/233/thomas-paine-267_history_we-have-a-perfect-idea-of-a-natural-enem_2155712.jpg" --- # We have a perfect idea of a natural enemy when we think of… ![“We have a perfect idea of a natural enemy when we think of the devil, because the enmity is perpetual, unalterable and unabateable. It admits, neither of peace, truce, or treaty; consequently the warfare eternal and therefore is natural. But man with man cannot arrange in the same opposition…” quote by Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/233/thomas-paine-267_history_we-have-a-perfect-idea-of-a-natural-enem_2155712.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/233/thomas-paine-267_history_we-have-a-perfect-idea-of-a-natural-enem_2155712.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/233/thomas-paine-267_history_we-have-a-perfect-idea-of-a-natural-enem_2155712.jpg) > ““We have a perfect idea of a natural enemy when we think of the devil, because the enmity is perpetual, unalterable and unabateable. It admits, neither of peace, truce, or treaty; consequently the warfare eternal and therefore is natural. But man with man cannot arrange in the same opposition. Their quarrels are accidental and equivocally created. They become friends or enemies as the change of temper, or the cast of interest inclines them. The Creator of man did not constitute them the natural enemy of each other. He has not made any one order of beings so. Even wolves may quarrel, still they herd together. If any two nations are so, then must all nations be so, otherwise it is not nature but custom, and the offence frequently originates with the accuser.”” [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human conflict is natural when framed as eternal enemies, but human relationships are mutable, shaped by interests and temperament, not fixed enmity. **In simple terms:** Human wars are seen as natural, but human ties change with interests. Key Takeaway Recognize that enmities are often constructed, not inevitable. Themes conflict human nature relationships politics philosophy Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - international diplomacy - personal relationships - team dynamics - conflict resolution Key Concepts natural enemy social construction interest-driven behavior Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate between natural rivalry and constructed enmity? - What role does shared interest play in turning enemies into allies? A Different Perspective Assumes all conflict is inherently negative, overlooking constructive competition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [“Separated from the rest of Europe, she has contracted an unsocial habit of manners, and imagines in others the jealousy she creates in herself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/separated-from-the-rest-of-europe-she-has-contracted-an-unsocial/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [The industrial corporation is the natural enemy of nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/the-industrial-corporation-is-the-natural-enemy-of-nature/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [Uniformity, in its motives, its goals, its far-ranging consequences, is the natural enemy of poetry, not to mention the enemy of trees, the soil,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-d-wright/uniformity-in-its-motives-its-goals-its-far-ranging-consequences-is/) [C.D. 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