"Our enemies are our evil deeds and their memories, our pride, our selfishness, our malice, our passions, which by conscience or by habit pursue us with a relentlessness past the power of figure to express"

George A. Smith's quote dives deep into the introspective journey of recognizing and facing one's own inner foes. The text recommends that true opponents are not external forces or individuals, but rather the darker aspects of the self, such as wicked deeds, pride, selfishness, malice, and unmanageable passions. These internal foes tend to stick around in our awareness, haunting us through memory and regret.

The expression "our evil deeds and their memories" talks to the idea of actions and their long-lasting effects. Even after committing an act deemed wrong, its memory can continue, causing ongoing torture and reflection. It underscores the concept that actions have effects that can affect one's peace of mind long after the deed is done.

The inclusion of "our pride, our selfishness" highlights personal traits that frequently cause social disputes and self-inflicted misery. Pride can prevent people from confessing errors or seeking reconciliation, while selfishness might push away loved ones, eroding meaningful relationships.

Likewise, "our malice, our enthusiasms" describes the harmful feelings that can take in individuals if left unchecked. Malice can drive individuals toward revenge and bitterness, while untreated passions may lead to unreasonable decisions that can have destructive effects.

Smith's mention of "conscience or by routine" suggests that these inner enemies are ruthless due to the continuous reminders from one's own conscience or deeply ingrained routines. Our conscience acts as an internal moral compass, typically bringing previous misbehaviours to the leading edge, requiring recommendation or correction.

Eventually, the quote stimulates the idea of unrelenting pursuit by these internal foes, "past the power of figure to reveal", representing that their effect is profound and frequently beyond mere verbal description. In essence, Smith welcomes readers to perform an internal audit, prompting them to face and get rid of these latent yet powerful opponents to attain personal growth and peace.