The truth is forced upon us, very quickly, by a foe. There is a road from the eye to the heart that does not go through the intellect. A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends. He hasn't an enemy in the world, and none of his friends like him. Don't think there are no crocodiles because the water is calm. The enemies of the future are always the very nicest people. A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies. You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you. There is no man so friendless but what he can find a friend sincere enough to tell him disagreeable truths. Enemies could become the best companions. Companionship is based on a common interest, and the greater the interest the closer the companionship. What makes enemies of people, if not the eagerness, the passion for the same thing? Whoever has his foe at his mercy, and does not kill him, is his own enemy. The little foxes that spoil the vines. We have met the enemy, and he is us. The Lacedemonians do not inquire how many the enemy are, but where they are. The space in a needle's eye is sufficient for two friends, but the whole world is scarcely big enough to hold two enemies. Solomon ibn Gabirol Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed. If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man's life, sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility. Those who hate you don't win unless you hate them - and then you destroy yourself. There's nothing like the sight of an old enemy down on his luck. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. |