There is an old saying................KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE...........but your enemies closer. Do you believe this to be true. I honestly dont understand the reasoning?
2006-12-27 07:37:55 · 13 answers · asked by lauren10901 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I love that saying. It is the epitome of paranoid and manipulative thought.
The reasoning is that your enemies are the ones you need to keep around and keep tabs on, not your friends. The ones you can't trust are the ones you need to believe trust you (awkward wording, sorry). So, keep the people you can trust close, but keep those you can't trust closer, so that you know what they're doing.
I believe it's horrible advice. People that follow it believe that it is better never to trust so that you don't get hurt. They really don't have any friends to keep close, because they alienate them by not trusting them. They have only acquaintances, and enemies.
2006-12-27 09:08:04 · answer #1 · answered by spewing_originality 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm labeled a paranoid schizophrenic but it seems a lot of people who answered this question are more paranoid than I am! Is there not another reason to keep your enemies closer than your friends? How about keeping them close so you have a better chance of resolving your differences and making them friends? It is better to have NO enemies and so most of your efforts should go into getting them to understand you and you understand them so you can compromise on your differences.
2006-12-27 17:44:38 · answer #2 · answered by Mad Mac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The theory is if you keep track of your enemy you wont be surprised by their attack upon you.
It is always wise to keep track of your enemies, unless you can rid yourself of them completely.
However it is always been my belief that friends are better kept than enemies, and that I have no enemies. I don't want them and certainly do not need them and will not co-exist with them either. So it is your choice, either worry or live?
2006-12-27 17:59:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to know more about your enemies than you need to know about your friends.
When an enemy is about to do something to you, you can prepare to defend yourself and/or counter-attack IF you observe their behavior closely.
Friends are kept close for joy's sake, but you don't have to monitor their every mood change. After all, they're your friends.
You don't expect them to threaten you in any way, hence you don't have to 'keep them as close'.
2006-12-27 15:41:19 · answer #4 · answered by flywho 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
only true if your in the movies or some friggin roman emperor, machieveli, or some such scheming personality, no, dont keep your enemies close, pay them no never mind and keep your friends closer, unless your planning a military coup, or crap like that....
2006-12-27 18:36:46 · answer #5 · answered by metroactus 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you keep your enemies close you are aware of what they are doing.
2006-12-27 15:58:26 · answer #6 · answered by drg5609 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you should keep close to your friends close 'cause they're friends and enemies close so you can watch them.
2006-12-27 15:41:45 · answer #7 · answered by $mitty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is true. See you can trust your friends but not your enemies.
2006-12-27 15:57:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it only means if you don't know what your enemy is plotting against you..the best way to find out is to get closer...this saying was probably made up by a paranoid schizophrenia individual..
2006-12-27 15:51:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The better you know your enemy, the better you can defend yourself against him.
2006-12-27 17:07:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋