Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard the advice to “keep your friends close and your enemies closer”. This means that it’s wise to develop alliances, build your support group, and keep an eye out for others’ bad intentions. While most associate this warning with Michael Corleone in Godfather II, the phrase’s essence may have ancient origins in Homer, Sun Tzu, and Machiavelli.
Check out these 4 origins of the term and examples that demonstrate how important it is to follow the proverb’s advice.
What Does It Mean to Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer?
This proverb suggests a pragmatic worldview.
It recognizes the need to cultivate supportive friendships. It’s also smart to know what toxic people are doing so that you can prepare.
How to Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer
It’s a good idea to have friends on your side when you need them.
While no one wants to spend quality time with their enemies, you can’t protect yourself if you’re ignorant about what they are plotting.
Staying on your toes, listening, and establishing healthy boundaries don’t mean that you need to hang out with people who want to see you fail.
Instead, it encourages us to stay aware if we have people in our lives who don’t have our best interests at heart.
Who Said to Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer?
While the original origin is lost to history, several famous writings convey the phrase’s core concept. Here are the best possible origins that we have tracked down.
1. Homer – The Odyssey
The Odyssey’s story narrates Odysseus’ adventures in the Trojan War. Written in 7-8th century B.C.E, The Odyssey contains important life lessons.
In The Odyssey Book IX, Odysseus defeats the giant Cyclops through deception. Although English translations of the epic Greek poem don’t include this saying, the concept exists in the story.
2. Sun Tzu – The Art of War
Thousands of years after Sun Tzu wrote The Art of War, people still use the great Chinese strategist’s proverbs about the best ways to succeed.
Written in the 5-6th century B. C. E, The Art of War is most popularly credited with the saying. Even if the phrase isn’t located in English translations, the concept exists throughout his work.
3. Machiavelli – The Prince
A poor translation of a Niccolò Machiavelli letter is responsible for popular attribution to the Renaissance writer. Although the concept isn’t foreign to Machiavelli’s 1513 work, The Prince, the saying isn’t located in any English translation.
4. Michael Corleone – The Godfather II
The modern saying as we know it comes from The Godfather II (1974).
When Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, remembers his father’s lessons, Corleone says, “He taught me: keep your friends close but your enemies closer.”
So remember the meaning of the saying “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” is to always be aware that some people are bad people and to keep an eye on these people.
