quotations about enemies
He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare,
And he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere.
ALI IBN-ABI-TALIB
A Hundred Sayings
Men of sense often learn from their enemies. It is from their foes, not their friends, that cities learn the lesson of building high walls and ships of war.
ARISTOPHANES
The Birds
When we admit that our enemies are really a part of ourselves they help us (or force us) to incorporate the unity of God and of creation into our lives.
MOSHE SCHATZ
preface, You Are What You Hate
The enemy to be feared most is one who wears the face of a friend.
BRIAN HERBERT & KEVEN J. ANDERSON
Dune: House Corrino
Every man is his greatest enemy, and, as it were, his own executioner.
SIR THOMAS BROWNE
Religio Medici
I have only one real and true enemy on earth, and that is myself.
CHRISTIAN MORGENSTERN
An Evolution in Aphorisms
When the inhabitants of a free city have overcome the enemy in the field, it is not easy to express the pleasure which they feel in putting their opponents to flight, as well as in pursuing and making havoc of them.
XENOPHON
Hiero
A dead man is the worst enemy alive ... You can't alter his power over you. You can't alter what you love or owe. And it's too late to ask him for his absolution. He has beaten you all ways.
JOHN LE CARRÉ
Our Game
Scratch a lover, and find a foe.
DOROTHY PARKER
"Ballads of a Great Weariness", Enough Rope
The enemy is never more unnerving than when he's invisible.
K. J. PARKER
Devices and Desires
Boyfriends
And girlfriends
And enemies
Those upon which we rely
LOW
"Boyfriends and Girlfriends"
Fear of an enemy can often blind men to other hazards, not least the shape which they themselves make in the world.
CORMAC MCCARTHY
No Country for Old Men
A distant enemy is always preferable to one at the gate.
EMIL CIORAN
History & Utopia
The enemy
Is gonna get me
But not today
On my horsey
MOLOKO
"On My Horsey", Do You Like My Tight Sweater?
You have enemies? Why, it is the story of every man who has done a great deed or created a new idea. It is the cloud which thunders around everything that shines. Fame must have enemies, as light must have gnats. Do no bother yourself about it; disdain. Keep your mind serene as you keep your life clear.
VICTOR HUGO
Choses Vues 1849-1885
An enemy to define ourselves
An enemy to refine our hate
DARK TRANQUILITY
"The Enemy", Damage Done
It's great to have an enemy. Sharpens your senses.
JOHN UPDIKE
Rabbit is Rich
The only point in having enemies is so you can defeat them, kill them, brush them aside ... or give them a chance to redeem themselves.
DEREK LANDY
Death Bringer
We shall support whatever our enemies oppose and oppose whatever our enemies support.
MAO ZEDONG
Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong
A man's enemies are those he should endeavor first to make his friends.
NORMAN MACDONALD
Maxims and Moral Reflections