I am a kind-hearted person who loves my family and friends above all else. I also get great satisfaction from helping others in need and would gladly give freely of my time/money to help those less fortunate. However, as we all know there are those in this world whose intentions are less than altruistic in nature. Some of them are cruel, insensitive or worse; finding gain in others misfortune for whatever reason. I suppose I would call these individuals my "enemies".
I recently had to deal with a situation at work where the best path to safeguard myself and my family was to turn the other cheek and play "buddy" with my boss.
It pained me to take responsibility for this person's mistakes, take a demotion, and pretend to be their friend and support them. However, their influence was far too great to overcome and I did what needed to be done to keep my job and support my family.
What is core meaning of this phrase and is it a viable option for a good-hearted person to embrace it?
2006-12-08 11:47:43 · 9 answers · asked by Bumbo 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
You just put into practice what the phrase means. Sometimes you do have to take that risk. You did the correct thing.
Enemies are more dangerous than friends and can do you more harm. Best to always keep a close eye on them and give them a friendly nod to protect yourself and your family.
You did the right thing. I think the phrase is self-explanatory since you have already demonstrated the core value of this phrase by using it the way it was meant to be used.
Yes, always a viable option for a good hearted person to embrace. I feel the way you do about being kind and generous, and unfortunately, I can intuitively tell when there is a danger lurking about.
Wishing you a life filled with joy and success.
2006-12-08 11:55:12 · answer #1 · answered by makeitright 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I never got the full gist of this phrase - that is upon reading your details.
I feel it basically means to have your friends' by/ support you but keep a 'close' watch of your enemies.
What you did was justifiable, we all do things when desperation strikes especially when it involves the one we love; not necessarily proud of it - you did what you could out of 'survival'.
Although, I would've opted out of that work environment... being that it's unhealthy to be the scapegoat for your employer's wrongdoings.
2006-12-08 13:17:44 · answer #2 · answered by ViRg() 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Despite all the wrong that may come upon us in the end it is not us who take revenge except one from above. I believe I heard this phrase, possibly the bible. If we think about it our enemies is what made us more stronger, wiser, and better people by not letting another enemy to get to us, so in a way they help us more character-wise than friends that support us.
2006-12-08 11:58:22 · answer #3 · answered by anna 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I sleep with my friends and eat my enemies. So, they're both really close, but you could say the enemies are just a bit closer. Uh oh, gotta poop...
2016-05-22 21:39:10 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think that the phrase is saying put your foes closer watch them like a hawk sometimes u have to take the blame but make shure this is not a contiunuall thing because its not good u have to let people make thir mistakes and acept the consequences for them
2006-12-08 11:58:11 · answer #5 · answered by lovelychick 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is a Japanese saying, i think. to keep your friends close for support and your enemies closer so you can know their doings and hopefuly be a step ahead of them. in a situation at work such as yours, i'd be looking for new employment (on the sly) because he took advantage of you once and got away with it, you are disposable in his mind, so yes keep him close so you can easily keep an eye on the sob, and find a new job so you won't have to keep the (illegitimate child) close any longer than you absolutly have to.
2006-12-08 11:56:38 · answer #6 · answered by captsnuf 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Keep your enemies closer" doesn't mean befriend them, it means don't turn your back on them. Your friends you can trust (in theory anyway) but your enemies you need to watch.
2006-12-08 12:27:46 · answer #7 · answered by Voodoid 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. you must do (and did!) what you have to, to protect your own. it hurts your pride but it would hurt yourself and your family even more. good luck
2006-12-08 12:47:47 · answer #8 · answered by Meeowf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO!
Not unless you want to be a secret agent.
shaken but not stirred
2006-12-08 12:56:41 · answer #9 · answered by simplyJESSE 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋