Keep your friends close and your enemies closer

Meaning

The idiom "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" is a piece of advice that emphasizes the importance of maintaining relationships with both friends and foes. The literal meaning is to stay close to your loved ones while also being aware of your adversaries' movements. In metaphorical terms, it means that one should not underestimate the value of having enemies as well as friends.

Usage

• "It's always wise to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, especially in business." This suggests that maintaining relationships with competitors can be beneficial in achieving professional goals.
• "I learned a valuable lesson from keeping my friends close and my enemies closer: sometimes the most important people are those who challenge you." This implies that conflicts with others can lead to personal growth and improvement.
• "As much as it's tempting to cut ties with former acquaintances, you should keep your friends close and your enemies closer until you know their true intentions." This suggests that it's important to be cautious when dealing with people whose motivations are unclear.
• "It's not just about keeping your friends happy; sometimes, maintaining a good relationship with an enemy can open doors that would otherwise remain closed." This implies that even hostile relationships can have benefits.
• "When it comes to politics, you should always keep your friends close and your enemies closer, because the line between friend and foe is often blurred." This highlights the complexity of political relationships and the need for constant vigilance.

Roots and History

The earliest known use of this idiom can be traced back to medieval times when the concept of "chivalry" was prevalent. In this context, chivalrous knights were expected to treat their enemies with respect and even offer them protection. The idea of "keeping friends close" was also encouraged, as it was believed that one's reputation and honor depended on having a loyal group of supporters. Over time, the idiom evolved to include both friendships and rivalries, reflecting the changing nature of interpersonal relationships in different cultures and historical periods.

Synonyms in English

• "Stay close to your loved ones and keep your enemies at bay."
• "Maintain good relationships with both friends and foes."
• "Keep your allies close and your rivals under watch."
• "Build bridges with those you once considered adversaries."
• "Be aware of the actions of your enemies while also nurturing friendships."

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Maintenir les liens avec vos amis et vos ennemis." - This means to keep relationships with friends and foes.
• German: "Die Freunde auf dem Rücken halten und die Feinde im Horizon." - This means to have friends at your back and enemies on the horizon, indicating a sense of security in one's current friendships while being aware of potential threats from others.
• Spanish: "Mantener buenas relaciones con amigos y enemigos." - This means to maintain good relationships with both friends and foes.
• Italian: "Tenere i tuoi amici vicini e gli avversari più prossimi." - This means to have your friends nearby and enemies closer, emphasizing the importance of maintaining relationships with those who may pose a threat.
• Chinese: "保持好友而追随敌人" - This means to keep good friends while following enemies, indicating a willingness to maintain friendly relationships with adversaries for the sake of personal gain or advancement.

Similar Idioms

• broken heart

• get hitched

• where there’s a will, there’s a way