He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare…
“He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, while he who has one enemy shall meet him everywhere.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Having many acquaintances does not guarantee true companionship, while a single enemy can dominate one's thoughts.
In simple terms: Many friends ≠ true friend; one enemy dominates.
Value genuine relationships over quantity.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- leadership
- conflict management
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate true friends from acquaintances?
- What strategies reduce an enemy's influence?
Even a single foe can consume attention.