--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: .., by universal custom, your enemy is…" description: "\".., by universal custom, your enemy is never more polite than when he is planning or has planned your destruction.\" — James Clavell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/194/james-clavell-4422_destruction_by-universal-custom-your-enemy-is-never_2343151.png" --- # .., by universal custom, your enemy is never more polite… ![“.., by universal custom, your enemy is never more polite than when he is planning or has planned your destruction.” quote by James Clavell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/194/james-clavell-4422_destruction_by-universal-custom-your-enemy-is-never_2343151.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/194/james-clavell-4422_destruction_by-universal-custom-your-enemy-is-never_2343151.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/194/james-clavell-4422_destruction_by-universal-custom-your-enemy-is-never_2343151.png) > “.., by universal custom, your enemy is never more polite than when he is planning or has planned your destruction.” [James Clavell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-clavell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. An enemy may appear polite while secretly planning harm, reminding us to stay vigilant despite courteous behavior. **In simple terms:** Polite enemies can still be dangerous. Key Takeaway Watch actions, not just words. Themes trust deception politics strategy conflict Mood suspicious alert Type strategic warning When to use this quote - business negotiations - diplomatic talks - personal relationships - online interactions Key Concepts psychology of trust power dynamics warfare tactics Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate genuine politeness from manipulation? - What signs indicate a hidden agenda? A Different Perspective Polite behavior can mask hidden threats. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Custom Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/custom-enemy-5677758/) [Destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destruction/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Enemy Polite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy-polite-5677757/) [Planned Destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planned-destruction-5593200/) [Planning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planning/) [Polite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polite/) [Polite Planning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polite-planning-5677759/) ## Related quotes > [The Middle East is now filled with death and destruction and that was the aim of Neo-Conservatives who planned this destruction of seven Muslim…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-farrakhan/the-middle-east-is-now-filled-with-death-and-destruction-and-that-was/) [Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-farrakhan/) > [My parents always taught me not to be a good tennis player or the best in what I'm doing, but to be polite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-wilfried-tsonga/my-parents-always-taught-me-not-to-be-a-good-tennis-player-or-the/) [Jo-Wilfried Tsonga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-wilfried-tsonga/) > [Did you know...that when you walk past a flower, whether it be in somebody's garden or on a vacant hillside, the flower will always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-atchison/did-you-know-that-when-you-walk-past-a-flower-whether-it-be-in/) [Ron Atchison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-atchison/) > [There are two sides to me. 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