By the time Nephi writes this passage, there is ample reason for him to have developed an enmity with his brothers. Not only does he have a personal history of difficulties with them, but by this point there have already been wars and conflicts with them (see verse 34). In addition to the particular reasons Nephi may have had to dislike the Lamanites, he also obviously disapproves of their mode of life. It is difficult to know to what specifics Nephi refers when he calls them "full of mischief and subtlety," but it is certain that the terms are indicative of the very wide gulf that grew between him and his brothers.