Why are you hitting yourself?
When you are in towns and busy stealing stuff, the guards may sometimes be called. If you kill them, your reputation will decrease.
To avoid this, use Algernon's Cloak (pickpocketed from the fat guy on the upper level of the Jovial Juggler at Beregost) to charm the guard(s). Then select the 'Attack' icon and get them to attack themselves. Just before they hit themselves, select the 'Defend' icon and have them defend themselves. Now they will attack themselves for attacking themselves!
If they stop attacking themselves, you may need to attack them (once) to get them started again. Just don't land the final blow. Also, the guards will disappear after a while if they don't kill themselves.
If you need more help, we've got more Baldur's Gate cheats and also check out all of the answers for this game
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