"if you wish to destroy your enemy, make hime your friend" - Abraham lincoln
2006-09-20 21:04:59 · 24 answers · asked by ♥ hey! 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
Hi, ANONYMOUS!
Lincoln didn't mean to state that we are to "destroy an enemy", but we are to destroy the intentions and the behavior of an enemy.
When the unwanted behavior of an "enemy" does not get him/her what he/she wants, the behavior is useless to him/her.
In the meantime, when the "enemy" realizes that he/she is better off being friendly and cooperative and can see a benefit for himself or herself by being friendly and cooperative, then the enemy decides to be a friend.
2006-09-20 21:27:27 · answer #1 · answered by Seneca 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's like when people say, 'Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer'.
In which case, you will first look at the quote and think that maybe it means that it is good to know your enemy so you can win against him.
But what I think it means is that if you want to destroy the title of him being your enemy, have him on your team.
At any rate, you might benefit more if he doesn't possibly perceive you as a threat.
Moreover, make him work for/with you, than against you.
2006-09-20 21:26:24 · answer #2 · answered by denh 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
to destroy your enemy is to make them no more in existence. A person cannot be your friend and your enemy together. Therefore by making that person your friend, you have gotten rid of the hate they have for you and in so doing, you have terminated an enemy.
2006-09-21 18:10:07 · answer #3 · answered by osito 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you cease to regard someone as your enemy, you are able to care about their comfort and well-being. If you have a genuine concern for that person, s/he will feel it and stop seeing you as their enemy. If you become friends, the enemy has disappeared and no longer exists. Now he is your friend.
Example: If the Israeli government had been sincerely concerned about the well-being of Palestinians and had done their best to relieve the suffering of Palestinians, they would not have to a face an implacable enemy now.
2006-09-20 21:25:41 · answer #4 · answered by beast 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This means when you develop friendly relationship with your enemy, he is no longer your enemy. That way your enemy gets destroyed.
2006-09-20 21:40:21 · answer #5 · answered by avn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This idea can take several forms:
1. If someone hates you and you act as a friend towards them, it destroys them because they want you to hate them back--because that feeds them energy for their hate. If they see that their hate does not make you hate them back, they leave.
2. It can also mean that you can stop someone from being an enemy by turning them into a friend.
2006-09-20 21:10:43 · answer #6 · answered by Pandak 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because when you make someone your friend and co-operate and are flexible and willing to compromise that person is no longer an enemy, but a friend.
Therefore, your enemy was "destroyed."
Similar to "Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer."
2006-09-20 21:08:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It goes along with "killing him/her with kindness". People who hate you don't expect you to be friendly to them, especially if they humiliate you in public. That eats them up inside. They can't figure out why you'd still be friendly towards them after they dumped all over you. Eventually, they end up your friend, making them no longer your enemy, thus destroying the enemy they once were. Then, they become your biggest defender, loyal to the end. <*)))><
2006-09-20 21:12:01 · answer #8 · answered by Sandylynn 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This one goes along the same lines as, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer." -Sun-tzu ~400 BC
My interpretation is... if you take on the role of 'friend' to an enemy, they will divulge privilaged information that you can use against them strategically.
2006-09-20 21:21:10 · answer #9 · answered by aaron.lattin 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
One will defineitly learn weaknesses, as well as, strengths of an enemy, by ACTING as if the two are friends, not enemies.
2006-09-20 21:14:22 · answer #10 · answered by twistedmind 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋