--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you can’t have another ally,” I said…" description: "\"“If you can’t have another ally,” I said at last, “next best thing is to give your enemy another enemy.”\" — Benedict Jacka" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccb/benedict-jacka-32506_ally_if-you-can-t-have-another-ally-i-said-at_2981048.jpg" --- # If you can’t have another ally,” I said at last, “next… ![“If you can’t have another ally,” I said at last, “next best thing is to give your enemy another enemy.” quote by Benedict Jacka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccb/benedict-jacka-32506_ally_if-you-can-t-have-another-ally-i-said-at_2981048.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccb/benedict-jacka-32506_ally_if-you-can-t-have-another-ally-i-said-at_2981048.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccb/benedict-jacka-32506_ally_if-you-can-t-have-another-ally-i-said-at_2981048.jpg) > ““If you can’t have another ally,” I said at last, “next best thing is to give your enemy another enemy.”” [Benedict Jacka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-jacka/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If you lack allies, create one by turning an enemy into a shared opponent. **In simple terms:** When lacking allies, make an enemy a shared opponent. Key Takeaway Leverage shared opposition for alliances. Themes strategy conflict alliance Mood strategic cautionary Type leadership advice political strategy When to use this quote - business negotiations - political campaigns - social movements Key Concepts political maneuvering team building Questions to Reflect On - When is it ethical to use an enemy as a bridge? - What alternatives exist for building alliances? A Different Perspective Ethical concerns about fostering conflict. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ally/) ## Related quotes > [“Ally said if I let you out of bed she'd kill me." "Ally's not your Alpha, wolf." Some of his strength had returned but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kinsey-w-holley/ally-said-if-i-let-you-out-of-bed-she-d-kill-me-ally-s-not-your-alpha/) Kinsey W. Holley > [“Ally.' He said slowly, tasting it. "Friend, lover, target, hunter, victor, mutt, fiancee, enemy. I'll add it to the list of words I use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/ally-he-said-slowly-tasting-it-friend-lover-target-hunter-victor-mutt/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Linda asked that morning what it was about Charlotte’s Web that Ally particularly liked; maybe it would help to think about that, since it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-waite-clayton/linda-asked-that-morning-what-it-was-about-charlotte-s-web-that-ally/) [Meg Waite Clayton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-waite-clayton/) > [Unless you are addressing the issues people are concerned about and contributing positive direction, they'll never support you. The first thing the enemy tries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/assata-shakur/unless-you-are-addressing-the-issues-people-are-concerned-about-and/) [Assata Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/assata-shakur/) > [“What a spineless thing I must be not to have even one enemy!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-m-montgomery/what-a-spineless-thing-i-must-be-not-to-have-even-one-enemy/) [L.M. Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-m-montgomery/) > [“The last thing the enemy wants to see is Jesus and His tribe of twenty-first-century, Internet-savvy followers gaining ground online. 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You are your own worst enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-tali/there-s-no-such-thing-as-an-enemy-in-simple-life-you-are-your-own/) [Jonathan Tali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-tali/) > [Sometimes perfecting the one thing can be the enemy of getting any traction on anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-roach/sometimes-perfecting-the-one-thing-can-be-the-enemy-of-getting-any/) [Jay Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-roach/) > [The best thing to give 2 your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart 2 ur child, a gud…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ladygaga/the-best-thing-to-give-2-your-enemy-is-forgiveness-to-an-opponent/) [Ladygaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ladygaga/) > [“When you are without friends, the next best thing is an enemy who knows you well.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/midnight-blue/when-you-are-without-friends-the-next-best-thing-is-an-enemy-who/) Midnight Blue > [What a spineless thing I must be not to have one enemy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-maud-montgomery/what-a-spineless-thing-i-must-be-not-to-have-one-enemy/) [Lucy Maud Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-maud-montgomery/) > [You could never be sure that you would make it, but what I said to myself is that I would always give my best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bukayo-saka/you-could-never-be-sure-that-you-would-make-it-but-what-i-said-to/) [Bukayo Saka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bukayo-saka/) > [I can honestly say that I regret nothing... like I said I have the best of both worlds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-smith/i-can-honestly-say-that-i-regret-nothing-like-i-said-i-have-the-best/) [Kim Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-smith/) > [“When i said nothing, the best thing that happened to me in three years left. Damn, i was an idiot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/when-i-said-nothing-the-best-thing-that-happened-to-me-in-three-years/) [Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/) ## More by Benedict Jacka > [“I don’t sell spells, and I don’t sell tricks. I don’t carry illusions or marked cards or weighted coins. I can not sell you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-jacka/i-don-t-sell-spells-and-i-don-t-sell-tricks-i-don-t-carry-illusions/) [Benedict Jacka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-jacka/) > [“I've heard of a guy in Chicago who advertises in the phone book under "Wizard",though that's probably a urban legend.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-jacka/i-ve-heard-of-a-guy-in-chicago-who-advertises-in-the-phone-book-under/) [Benedict Jacka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-jacka/) > [“Those of us who do like visitors have to advertise, and it’s tricky to find a way of doing it that doesn’t make you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-jacka/those-of-us-who-do-like-visitors-have-to-advertise-and-it-s-tricky-to/) [Benedict Jacka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-jacka/) > [“It wasn’t a passing shower but a steady drumbeat of water, the kind of rain that settles in, puts its feet up and makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-jacka/it-wasn-t-a-passing-shower-but-a-steady-drumbeat-of-water-the-kind-of/) [Benedict Jacka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-jacka/) > [“The noise makes your heart jump, but hearing a sniper bullet is a good thing. The bullet outruns the sound wave; if it’s on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-jacka/the-noise-makes-your-heart-jump-but-hearing-a-sniper-bullet-is-a-good/) [Benedict Jacka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-jacka/) > [“Congrats, you’ve just had your first assassination attempt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-jacka/congrats-you-ve-just-had-your-first-assassination-attempt/) [Benedict Jacka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-jacka/) > [“My would-be assassin was a very good shot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-jacka/my-would-be-assassin-was-a-very-good-shot/) [Benedict Jacka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-jacka/) > [“Starbreeze doesn't rest, doesn't sleep and can hear anything carried on moving air. 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We can't gate, we can't attack, we can't shield,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-jacka/other-mages-have-an-odd-attitude-towards-diviners-by-the-standards-of/) [Benedict Jacka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-jacka/) > [“Russell Square is one of the odder areas of London.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-jacka/russell-square-is-one-of-the-odder-areas-of-london/) [Benedict Jacka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-jacka/) > [“Maybe you’ve already guessed by now, and you’re sitting there wondering how I could take so long to figure it out. If you are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-jacka/maybe-you-ve-already-guessed-by-now-and-you-re-sitting-there/) [Benedict Jacka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-jacka/) > [“Somehow, though, neither her clothes nor her features seemed to matter—they were the adornments of a painting or a picture, not the real thing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-jacka/somehow-though-neither-her-clothes-nor-her-features-seemed-to-matter/) [Benedict Jacka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-jacka/) > [“As I walked, I started making a list of everyone in the mage world whom I’d opposed, fought with, or otherwise irritated. After I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-jacka/as-i-walked-i-started-making-a-list-of-everyone-in-the-mage-world/) [Benedict Jacka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-jacka/) [Explore all 15 Benedict Jacka quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-jacka/) ## More Ally quotes > [What would your life be like if your body were your friend and ally?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-northrup/what-would-your-life-be-like-if-your-body-were-your-friend-and-ally/) [Christiane Northrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-northrup/) > [“You get married to have an ally against your family,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-get-married-to-have-an-ally-against-your-family/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When black women are down with you and in your corner, you have an ally that will move Heaven and Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-perry/when-black-women-are-down-with-you-and-in-your-corner-you-have-an/) [Tyler Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-perry/) > [“Ally may be Evan’s by law, but she’s mine by nature. And in a battle between lions, no one gives a fuck about what’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-l-jennings/ally-may-be-evan-s-by-law-but-she-s-mine-by-nature-and-in-a-battle/) [S.L. Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-l-jennings/) > [There is an irreplaceable ally. It's called the United States of America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/there-is-an-irreplaceable-ally-it-s-called-the-united-states-of/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [My own take on the word "transgender" is that it's an umbrella term for anyone who breaks any rules, laws, guidelines or protocol of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-bornstein/my-own-take-on-the-word-transgender-is-that-it-s-an-umbrella-term-for/) [Kate Bornstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-bornstein/) > [The first thing we need allies to do is listen. Come to us with a willingness to grow and evolve. You're going to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mcbride/the-first-thing-we-need-allies-to-do-is-listen-come-to-us-with-a/) [Sarah McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mcbride/) > [If America is truly Israel's greatest ally, we should not be asking it to put its citizens and future at risk by forcing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-hasner/if-america-is-truly-israel-s-greatest-ally-we-should-not-be-asking-it/) [Adam Hasner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-hasner/) > [“A good enemy can be better than the best of friend.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simona-panova/a-good-enemy-can-be-better-than-the-best-of-friend/) [Simona Panova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simona-panova/) > [“Jake's POV: Meanwhile, Ally was here with Marshall Moss, who she was obviously going to hook up with later. They'd barely stopped touching each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kieran-scott/jake-s-pov-meanwhile-ally-was-here-with-marshall-moss-who-she-was/) [Kieran Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kieran-scott/) > [I try to make as much time as I can for R5, because I love it so much. Ultimately, that's what's going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-lynch/i-try-to-make-as-much-time-as-i-can-for-r5-because-i-love-it-so-much/) [Ross Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-lynch/) > [In a way, the cancer became an ally because it stopped me from running around so much. I was able to settle down and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/in-a-way-the-cancer-became-an-ally-because-it-stopped-me-from-running/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [The job of a good ally is not to save anybody but rather to help create the conditions under which people can assert and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rinku-sen/the-job-of-a-good-ally-is-not-to-save-anybody-but-rather-to-help/) [Rinku Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rinku-sen/) > [I think president after president has always stood behind Israel. We always will. They're our ally there. And we have to do whatever we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dutch-ruppersberger/i-think-president-after-president-has-always-stood-behind-israel-we/) [Dutch Ruppersberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dutch-ruppersberger/) > [The $52.6 billion U.S. intelligence arsenal is aimed mainly at unambiguous adversaries, including al-Qaida, North Korea and Iran. But top-secret budget documents reveal an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barton-gellman/the-52-6-billion-u-s-intelligence-arsenal-is-aimed-mainly-at/) [Barton Gellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barton-gellman/) [Browse all 165 Ally quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ally/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“If you can’t have another ally,” I said at last, “next best thing is to give your enemy another enemy.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Benedict Jacka" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-jacka/if-you-can-t-have-another-ally-i-said-at-last-next-best-thing-is-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ally" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-jacka/if-you-can-t-have-another-ally-i-said-at-last-next-best-thing-is-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccb/benedict-jacka-32506_ally_if-you-can-t-have-another-ally-i-said-at_2981048.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccb/benedict-jacka-32506_ally_if-you-can-t-have-another-ally-i-said-at_2981048.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ccb/benedict-jacka-32506_ally_if-you-can-t-have-another-ally-i-said-at_2981048.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you can’t have another ally,” I said at last, “next best thing is to give your enemy another enemy.” — Benedict Jacka", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Benedict Jacka", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-jacka/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“If you can’t have another ally,”...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-jacka/if-you-can-t-have-another-ally-i-said-at-last-next-best-thing-is-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-jacka/if-you-can-t-have-another-ally-i-said-at-last-next-best-thing-is-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```