❄️Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer❄️

The proverb in its literal sense may seem counterintuitive. Why in the world would
anybody want to keep their enemies closer than they keep their friends? The answer to this can be sought in the figurative implications of the proverb. The quote “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer” is sometimes attributed to Nicolo Machiavelli, Sun Tzu and even to Don Corleone, the protagonist of the novel The Godfather. In the heart of the proverb lies the message that one can learn more from enemies than one does from friends. There are many reasons why this proverb holds water.

First, you can learn a lot from someone whom you despise. The best wisdom does not necessarily come from being with friends. A friend is someone who is agreeable and who does not become an obstacle or a threat to your ambitions. Chances are that you and your friend share a similar world view. He or she is an extension of your own self.

An enemy, on the contrary, is someone who you don‘t trust and who is aiming for the same things as you are. They are your polar opposites. Their ideas, beliefs and world view may be in stark contrast with your own. By observing them, you can get a fresh perspective on a situation which you may not receive from your friends.
To outwit your enemies, you should pay close attention to their moves. This can help you stay ahead of them all the time. Keeping them at close quarters helps you in determining their motives. This helps you in anticipating all their moves.

Your enemy may have a lot of weaknesses which he does not like to bring to the fore. On the outside, he may seem like a formidable foe, but on the inside, he may be hiding some flaws which he does not wish to show the world. Knowing your enemy‘s weakness is the biggest instrument in anybody‘s arsenal.

Sometimes, unexpectedly, you may find that your enemy may not be the ‘scheming‘ and ‘evil’ villain you have imagined him to be. You may be surprised to find that he shares some of your values as well. An enemy may cease to be an enemy and you may learn to empathise with him/her. Hence, in order to be successful, you should be able to exploit your friendships and gain wisdom by observing your enemies.