2006-07-22 07:22:17 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
It mean`s if you stay friendly with everyone you are more likely to catch people out who are only pretending to like you. Well that`s what I have always thought it meant
2006-07-22 07:30:31 · answer #1 · answered by madge 51 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep your friends close for their support and keep your enemies closer to try to figure out why they are enemies and possibly make them your friends. Noone wants an enemy, noone sets out to find or create or become an enemy, so it is human nature to find out how and why and resolve the issue.
2006-07-22 14:28:45 · answer #2 · answered by tammylicious 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you want to keep your enemies closer b/c you never know what they will do to you. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.... Gotta watch out for the enemies. They can be sneeky sometimes.
2006-07-22 14:26:34 · answer #3 · answered by Mac 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means if you think someone is against your interests, you should place them in a position where you can watch them carefully.
For example, Abraham Lincoln had a long-lasting dislike of Salmon P. Chase, who he viewed as a serious competitor. (Chase also disliked Lincoln.) So what did Lincoln do? He made Chase chief justice of the Supreme Court.
That prevented Chase from having a political career that would negatively effect Lincoln, and it also made it so that Chase owed Lincoln a favor.
If you want to know how to manipulate your enemies, there's no one better to study than our greatest president.
2006-07-22 14:28:53 · answer #4 · answered by SilverSun614 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The saying goes, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer". What the saying is trying to convey is that, duh, obviously you keep your friends close, but by keeping your enemies closer, you can keep an eye on them. Sort of like watching your own back.
2006-07-22 14:28:05 · answer #5 · answered by ¤ºHÃ?ñ襺¤ 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means you need close friend, but you should keep your enemies where you can see them.
2006-07-22 14:26:07 · answer #6 · answered by BigPappa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means always keep a close eye on what your enemies are up to
2006-07-22 14:26:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a quite simple practice, used mostly for politicians and warriors and whatnot. Your friends should always be close (in case you need them), but you should ALWAYS know what your enemy is doing. Hope that clears this up!
2006-07-22 14:26:50 · answer #8 · answered by Phoenix_Slasher 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hullo. well, if you make it a point to not alienate your enemies, then they are close enough that you can see a possible 'attack' ( or episode of their typical b.s.) then you have room to prepare. if you run yer enemies off, they are at any time, possibly in hiding ready to 'ambush you' . see? keep em at arm's length where you can see them. then, you are in control.
2006-07-22 21:03:51 · answer #9 · answered by grumpy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Listen, Michael the one who come to you with the proposition, he is the traitor.
2006-07-22 14:32:50 · answer #10 · answered by October 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋