One of the greatest difficulties in civil war is, that…
“One of the greatest difficulties in civil war is, that more art is required to know what should be concealed from our friends, than what ought to be done against our enemies.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Artful concealment among friends is harder than confronting enemies, highlighting the complexity of social deception.
In simple terms: Hiding from friends is harder.
Value honesty over cleverness.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- diplomacy
- team leadership
- conflict resolution
- public relations
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When is concealment justified?
- How can transparency improve outcomes?
Excessive secrecy can erode trust.