Literary notes about Enemy (AI summary)
In literature, "enemy" is a multifaceted term that spans both literal and symbolic realms. Authors deploy the word to denote tangible adversaries in warfare or strategic conflict—as seen in military accounts where managing the enemy’s position is crucial ([1], [2], [3], [4])—and to represent abstract forces or internal dilemmas, such as transforming philosophy from foe to ally ([5]) or illustrating personal and ideological struggles ([6], [7], [8]). Additionally, "enemy" often embodies complex human relationships and moral ambiguity, highlighting the thin line between friend and foe ([9], [10], [11]). Whether describing a physical opponent on the battlefield or a conceptual force opposing one's inner values, literature uses "enemy" to capture the enduring tension between conflict and resolution.
- To do this effectually it will be better to keep the enemy out of the intrenchments of Richmond than to have them go back there.
— from Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, Complete by Ulysses S. Grant - I was going into the enemy's country, with a large river behind me and the enemy holding points strongly fortified above and below.
— from Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, Complete by Ulysses S. Grant - But the enemy reorganized and renewed the assault.
— from Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, Complete by Ulysses S. Grant - Astyochus accordingly sailed as he was to Syme, before he was heard of, in the hope of catching the enemy somewhere out at sea.
— from The History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides - Philosophy, her most dangerous enemy, was now converted into her most useful ally.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - The great thing, then, in all education, is to make our nervous system our ally instead of our enemy .
— from The Principles of Psychology, Volume 1 (of 2) by William James - Although he has wronged me, still I cannot believe he is my enemy.
— from An Advanced English Grammar with Exercises by Frank Edgar Farley and George Lyman Kittredge - For Milton hates injustice and, because it is an enemy of his people, he cannot and will not spare it.
— from English Literature by William J. Long - To be the friend of the one, is of necessity to be the enemy of the other.
— from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass - “I, the heir of an enemy!” said Athos; “for whom, then, do you take me?”
— from The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - and raising me up, he said, Rise, Pamela, rise; you are your own enemy.
— from Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson
