And when it became evident by this that the example of the dog that has acquired from its likeness of evil and filth what only Allah, the Most High, knows truly is the example of the disbelievers in the signs, this resulted in His saying, affirming their blame and warning them: "Evil is the example of the people." That is, the example of the people "who denied Our signs." So if there were no consequence for them in their actions that this example would not descend upon them, it would have been a greater deterrent for them than the least of honor; because they have descended from what is of greatness to what has become evident by this example of baseness. So how is it that they harm themselves by that and do not harm anyone but themselves? And that is the meaning of His saying: "and themselves," that is, specifically, "they were wronging themselves," meaning that this was in their nature and disposition, and no one but Allah is able to change it.