Quote by Orson Scott Card
And it came down to this: In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him. I think it's impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves. And then, in that very moment when I love them...I destroy them.
Summary
This quote suggests that in the process of understanding and defeating an enemy, there is a paradoxical experience of love towards them. It argues that true understanding of an individual's motives and beliefs leads to an empathy and affection similar to self-love. However, this moment of compassion is seen as a means to destroy the enemy, highlighting the notion that love and destruction can coexist as contradictory forces. It underscores the complex dynamics between knowledge, empathy, and conflict within human relationships.