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Do good to your friend to keep him, and to your enemy to…

“Do good to your friend to keep him, and to your enemy to make him your friend.” quote by E. W. Scripps
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“Do good to your friend to keep him, and to your enemy to make him your friend.”

E. W. Scripps

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Treat friends kindly to retain them, and treat enemies kindly to turn them into allies.

In simple terms: Be good to friends and enemies to keep or win them.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate goodwill toward all.

Themes

relationships influence empathy

Mood

thoughtful strategic

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • networking
  • conflict resolution
  • leadership
  • team building

Key Concepts

reciprocity social capital

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you show genuine care to an opponent?
  • What risks arise when trusting a former enemy?
A Different Perspective

May be unrealistic if power dynamics are unequal.

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