--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is an Italian proverb which saith…" description: "\"There is an Italian proverb which saith, From my enemy let me defend myself; but from a pretensed friend Lord deliver me\" — Elizabeth I" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1b/elizabeth-i-3475_enemy_there-is-an-italian-proverb-which-saith_2578213.jpg" --- # There is an Italian proverb which saith, From my enemy let… ![“There is an Italian proverb which saith, From my enemy let me defend myself; but from a pretensed friend Lord deliver me” quote by Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1b/elizabeth-i-3475_enemy_there-is-an-italian-proverb-which-saith_2578213.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1b/elizabeth-i-3475_enemy_there-is-an-italian-proverb-which-saith_2578213.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1b/elizabeth-i-3475_enemy_there-is-an-italian-proverb-which-saith_2578213.jpg) > “There is an Italian proverb which saith, From my enemy let me defend myself; but from a pretensed friend Lord deliver me” [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. One should defend against enemies but beware false friends. **In simple terms:** Beware false friends, defend against enemies. Key Takeaway Guard against deceitful allies. Themes trust defense friendship Mood cautious reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - politics - personal relationships - business negotiations Key Concepts philosophy wisdom Questions to Reflect On - Who in your life pretends friendship? - How do you test loyalty? A Different Perspective Friends may appear supportive but act against you. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Italian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/italian/) [Italian proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/italian-proverb/) [Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord/) [Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proverb/) ## Related quotes > [“At the table, one does not grow old. —Italian proverb Thanksgiving”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-healey/at-the-table-one-does-not-grow-old-italian-proverb-thanksgiving/) [Jane Healey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-healey/) > [CUNNING, n. The faculty that distinguishes a weak animal or person from a strong one. 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Let him cease to exist as a tribe or he will live to fly in your throat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaka/strike-an-enemy-once-and-for-all-let-him-cease-to-exist-as-a-tribe-or/) [Shaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaka/) > [“I am not going to make small talk with the enemy, let's be clear about that.' - ppg 31”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annabel-pitcher/i-am-not-going-to-make-small-talk-with-the-enemy-let-s-be-clear-about/) [Annabel Pitcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annabel-pitcher/) > [A doubtful friend is worse than a certain enemy. Let a man be one thing or the other, and we then know how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/a-doubtful-friend-is-worse-than-a-certain-enemy-let-a-man-be-one/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [Anyone who is an enemy of mine, let him love women, but let he who is my friend rejoice in men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/anyone-who-is-an-enemy-of-mine-let-him-love-women-but-let-he-who-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Once the game is over,’ ” he says, “ ‘the king and the pawn go back in the same box.’ ” “In life and death we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-renee-jones/once-the-game-is-over-he-says-the-king-and-the-pawn-go-back-in-the/) [Lisa Renee Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-renee-jones/) > [“All's well that ends well.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-s-well-that-ends-well/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Elizabeth I > [Affection! Affection is false.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/affection-affection-is-false/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [I do not so much rejoice that God hath made me to be a Queen, as to be a Queen over so thankful a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/i-do-not-so-much-rejoice-that-god-hath-made-me-to-be-a-queen-as-to-be/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [It is monstrous that the feet should direct the head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/it-is-monstrous-that-the-feet-should-direct-the-head/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [I cannot find it in me to fear a man who took ten years a learning of his alphabet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/i-cannot-find-it-in-me-to-fear-a-man-who-took-ten-years-a-learning-of/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [I grieve and dare not show my discontent, I love and yet am forced to seem to hate, I do, yet dare not say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/i-grieve-and-dare-not-show-my-discontent-i-love-and-yet-am-forced-to/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [I have no desire to make windows into men's souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/i-have-no-desire-to-make-windows-into-men-s-souls/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [Let tyrants fear, I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/let-tyrants-fear-i-have-always-so-behaved-myself-that-under-god-i/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [I would not open windows into men's souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/i-would-not-open-windows-into-men-s-souls/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [The name of a successor is like the tolling of my own death-bell!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/the-name-of-a-successor-is-like-the-tolling-of-my-own-death-bell/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [Had I been crested, not cloven, my Lords, you had not treated me thus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/had-i-been-crested-not-cloven-my-lords-you-had-not-treated-me-thus/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [I pluck up the good lissome herbs of sentences by pruning, eat them by reading, digest them by musing, and lay them up at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/i-pluck-up-the-good-lissome-herbs-of-sentences-by-pruning-eat-them-by/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [Eyes of youth have sharp sight but commonly not so deep as those of elder age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/eyes-of-youth-have-sharp-sight-but-commonly-not-so-deep-as-those-of/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [I do not so much rejoice that God hath made me to be a Queen, as to be a Queen over so thankful a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/i-do-not-so-much-rejoice-that-god-hath-made-me-to-be-a-queen-as-to-be-2/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [It has been always held for a special principle in friendship that prosperity provideth but adversity proveth friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/it-has-been-always-held-for-a-special-principle-in-friendship-that/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [There is a close tie of affection between sovereigns and their subjects; and as chaste wives should have no eyes but for their husbands,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/there-is-a-close-tie-of-affection-between-sovereigns-and-their/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) [Explore all 130 Elizabeth I quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) ## More Enemy quotes > [Shall there be truth between us, as two men? Not as friends, but as enemies and equals?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/shall-there-be-truth-between-us-as-two-men-not-as-friends-but-as/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [“Before you were my enemy, you were my best friend.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/before-you-were-my-enemy-you-were-my-best-friend/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-our-forces-are-ten-to-the-enemy-s-one-to/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Fear is a man's worst enemy, but love is a man's most powerful weapon against anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fear-is-a-man-s-worst-enemy-but-love-is-a-man-s-most-powerful-weapon/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The surprise of an army is now next to an impossibility. ... Prearranged surprises are rare and difficult because in order to plan one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-henri-jomini/the-surprise-of-an-army-is-now-next-to-an-impossibility-prearranged/) [Antoine-Henri Jomini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-henri-jomini/) > [“Never let your Enemies become your Advocates.” by A. K. Hasan”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-k-hasan/never-let-your-enemies-become-your-advocates-by-a-k-hasan/) A.K. Hasan > [The concept of humanity is an especially useful ideological instrument of imperialist expansion, and in its ethical-humanitarian form it is a specific vehicle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-schmitt/the-concept-of-humanity-is-an-especially-useful-ideological/) [Carl Schmitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-schmitt/) > [Pain held no terror for him. Pain was, if not friend, then family, something he had grown up with in his crèche, learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/pain-held-no-terror-for-him-pain-was-if-not-friend-then-family/) [Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/) > [To achieve victory we must mass our forces at the hub of all power & movement. The enemy's 'Center of Gravity'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-achieve-victory-we-must-mass-our-forces-at-the-hub-of-all-power/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't see why we and the Chinese should have to be enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-gandhi/i-don-t-see-why-we-and-the-chinese-should-have-to-be-enemies/) [Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-gandhi/) > [The invention of gunpowder and the constant improvement of firearms are enough in themselves to show that the advance of civilization has done nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/the-invention-of-gunpowder-and-the-constant-improvement-of-firearms/) [Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/) > [Perfection is the enemy of greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/perfection-is-the-enemy-of-greatness/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [In this business, you find the enemy, then go after and destroy him. Everything else is rubbish!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-rickenbacker/in-this-business-you-find-the-enemy-then-go-after-and-destroy-him/) [Eddie Rickenbacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-rickenbacker/) > [“Enemies Teach. Friends Preach.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tapan-ghosh/enemies-teach-friends-preach/) [Tapan Ghosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tapan-ghosh/) [Browse all 7,981 Enemy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is an Italian proverb which saith, From my enemy let me defend myself; but from a pretensed friend Lord deliver me", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Elizabeth I" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/there-is-an-italian-proverb-which-saith-from-my-enemy-let-me-defend/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Enemy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/there-is-an-italian-proverb-which-saith-from-my-enemy-let-me-defend/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1b/elizabeth-i-3475_enemy_there-is-an-italian-proverb-which-saith_2578213.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1b/elizabeth-i-3475_enemy_there-is-an-italian-proverb-which-saith_2578213.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1b/elizabeth-i-3475_enemy_there-is-an-italian-proverb-which-saith_2578213.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is an Italian proverb which saith, From my enemy let me defend myself; but from a pretensed friend…” — Elizabeth I", "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": "Elizabeth I", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There is an Italian proverb which...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/there-is-an-italian-proverb-which-saith-from-my-enemy-let-me-defend/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/there-is-an-italian-proverb-which-saith-from-my-enemy-let-me-defend/#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 } } ] } ```