If thine enemy offend thee, give his child a drum.
—Unknown
Bribery is the enemy of justice.
—African Proverb
If an enemy is annoying you by playing well, consider adopting his strategy.
—Chinese Proverb
If there be no enemy there’s no fight. If no fight, no victory and if no victory there is no crown.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
I have no trouble with my enemies. I can take care of my enemies all right. But my damn friends—they’re the ones that keep me walking the floor nights!
—Warren G. Harding (1865–1923) American Head of State, Businessperson
No prudent antagonist thinks light of his adversaries.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
A powerful friend becomes a powerful enemy.
—African Proverb
Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot that it do singe yourself.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Your friend will swallow your mistakes; your enemy will present them on a plate.
—Arabic Proverb
A close friend can become a close enemy.
—African Proverb
The weakness of an enemy forms part of our own strength.
—Common Proverb
Our greatest foes, and whom we must chiefly combat, are within.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Beware of still water, a still dog, and a still enemy.
—Yiddish Proverb
I no doubt deserved my enemies, but I don’t believe I deserved my friends.
—Walt Whitman (1819–92) American Poet, Essayist, Journalist, American, Poet, Essayist, Journalist
Even a paranoid can have enemies.
—Henry Kissinger (b.1923) American Diplomat, Academician
When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.
—African Proverb
You may find the worst enemy or best friend in yourself.
—English Proverb
Our enemies are our outward consciences.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Friends come and go, enemies linger.
—Unknown
A trade not properly learned is an enemy.
—Irish Proverb
Let your enemies be disarmed by the gentleness of your manner, but at the same time let them feel, the steadiness of your resentment.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
I would rather have a dog as a friend than an enemy.
—German Proverb
The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
One reason we should love our enemies is that we made them ourselves. Another reason is that they keep us on our toes, a third reason is that we should make them our friends.
—Indian Proverb
Use your enemy’s hand to catch a snake.
—Persian Proverb
Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Though your enemy is the size of an ant, look upon him as an elephant.
—Danish Proverb
Plutarch has written an essay on the benefits which a man may receive from his enemies; and among the good fruits of enmity, mentions this in particular, that by the reproaches which it casts upon us we see the worst side of ourselves.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
False friends are worse than bitter enemies.
—Scottish Proverb
He who flatters me is my enemy, who blames me is my teacher.
—Chinese Proverb
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