--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Instead of loving your enemies, have no…" description: "\"Instead of loving your enemies, have no enemies to love.\" — Norm MacDonald" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a0/norm-macdonald-1825_enemies_instead-of-loving-your-enemies-have-no-e_1031072.png" --- # Instead of loving your enemies, have no enemies to love. ![“Instead of loving your enemies, have no enemies to love.” quote by Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a0/norm-macdonald-1825_enemies_instead-of-loving-your-enemies-have-no-e_1031072.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a0/norm-macdonald-1825_enemies_instead-of-loving-your-enemies-have-no-e_1031072.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a0/norm-macdonald-1825_enemies_instead-of-loving-your-enemies-have-no-e_1031072.png) > “Instead of loving your enemies, have no enemies to love.” [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Suggests that eliminating enemies is better than trying to love them, promoting peace over conflict. **In simple terms:** Avoid enemies instead of loving them. Key Takeaway Cultivate harmony, reduce conflict. Themes peace relationships conflict resolution Mood thoughtful calm Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - personal relationships - workplace dynamics - political negotiations Key Concepts non‑violent philosophy ethical living Questions to Reflect On - How can you reduce hostility in your life? - What does “no enemies” truly mean? A Different Perspective It may be unrealistic to have no enemies at all. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enemies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemies/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Loving your enemies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loving-your-enemies/) ## Related quotes > [Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, Love your enemies. It is this: that love has within it a redemptive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/now-there-is-a-final-reason-i-think-that-jesus-says-love-your-enemies-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Loving Your Enemies... Far from being the pious injunction of a utopian dreamer, this demand is an absolute necessity for the survival of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/loving-your-enemies-far-from-being-the-pious-injunction-of-a-utopian/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [If you form the habit of taking what someone else says about a thing without checking it out for yourself, you'll find that other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/if-you-form-the-habit-of-taking-what-someone-else-says-about-a-thing/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Loving your enemies does not mean you have to agree with or accept what they do. You can still love all of mankind and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bethany-jane-andrews-hoey/loving-your-enemies-does-not-mean-you-have-to-agree-with-or-accept/) Bethany Jane Andrews Hoey > [Happiness is loving your enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/happiness-is-loving-your-enemies/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Instead of loving your enemies - treat your friends a little better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-loving-your-enemies-treat-your-friends-a-little-better/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I love to remember my enemies and I love to get my enemies. I had some enemies. I had people that really I helped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-love-to-remember-my-enemies-and-i-love-to-get-my-enemies-i-had-some/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, 'Love your enemies.' It is this: that love has within it a redemptive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/now-there-is-a-final-reason-i-think-that-jesus-says-love-your-enemies/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [When I say I love Eastland, it sounds preposterous a man who brutalizes people. But you love him or you wouldn't be here. You're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bayard-rustin/when-i-say-i-love-eastland-it-sounds-preposterous-a-man-who/) [Bayard Rustin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bayard-rustin/) > [This question, Is loving your enemy a life practice?, I like that question. It is a life practice, certainly, for everyone. It relates to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-thurman/this-question-is-loving-your-enemy-a-life-practice-i-like-that/) [Robert Thurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-thurman/) > [I agree with your remark about loving your enemy as far as actions are concerned. But for me the cognitive basis is the trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/i-agree-with-your-remark-about-loving-your-enemy-as-far-as-actions/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You take up energy towards someone because you think loving your enemy doesn't just mean caving into your enemy. It means first of all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-thurman/you-take-up-energy-towards-someone-because-you-think-loving-your/) [Robert Thurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-thurman/) > [Loving your enemy is a radical concept.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tavis-smiley/loving-your-enemy-is-a-radical-concept/) [Tavis Smiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tavis-smiley/) > [If one takes a public stand against, say, most any sin you can think of, one is considered "courageous" and a "defender of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-l-corey/if-one-takes-a-public-stand-against-say-most-any-sin-you-can-think-of/) [Benjamin L. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-l-corey/) > [Im loving you not because you're giving me what I need, Instead I'm loving you because you're giving me this feeling I never thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/im-loving-you-not-because-you-re-giving-me-what-i-need-instead-i-m/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) ## More by Norm MacDonald > [In estimating the adversities of life, we would seldom have much reason to complain of the evils we suffer, did we understand the dangers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/in-estimating-the-adversities-of-life-we-would-seldom-have-much/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Chastity is oftener owing to diffidence and shame, than to fortitude of reason or virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/chastity-is-oftener-owing-to-diffidence-and-shame-than-to-fortitude/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [The first principle of solid wisdom is discretion, without it all the erudition of life is merely bagatelle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/the-first-principle-of-solid-wisdom-is-discretion-without-it-all-the/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [I'd say Jon Stewart has remained funny the entire time. Jon always makes it funny first. And he's just, he's talking about serious things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/i-d-say-jon-stewart-has-remained-funny-the-entire-time-jon-always/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Liberty, like health, appears most precious when lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/liberty-like-health-appears-most-precious-when-lost/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [In theatres, you're kind of disconnected. Also, it's way too big for the likes of me. Unless you're Robin Williams or someone that can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/in-theatres-you-re-kind-of-disconnected-also-it-s-way-too-big-for-the/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [After months of speculation, the sitcom star Ellen DeGeneres admitted that yes, she's gay. Inspired by her courage, today, diet-guru Richard Simmons admitted that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/after-months-of-speculation-the-sitcom-star-ellen-degeneres-admitted/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [So much in L.A. is waiting. It's so irritating. That's what's good about stand-up. You can go away, and you don't have to sit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/so-much-in-l-a-is-waiting-it-s-so-irritating-that-s-what-s-good-about/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [You ever hear guys with small cocks talk about sex? Can't talk about it enough. They even got poems. They'll say, 'It's not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/you-ever-hear-guys-with-small-cocks-talk-about-sex-can-t-talk-about/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [My dad died, and my grandfather died, and my great-grandfather died. And the guy before him, I don't know. Probably died.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/my-dad-died-and-my-grandfather-died-and-my-great-grandfather-died-and/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [ Louis \[C.K.\] is great. But I don't know how many you could do. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/louis-c-k-is-great-but-i-don-t-know-how-many-you-could-do/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [I don't have any ego about it, but I find there's not a great work ethic in show business. A lot of people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/i-don-t-have-any-ego-about-it-but-i-find-there-s-not-a-great-work/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Many people are skeptical about marriage of Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Pressley. They say, Lisa Marie is more of a sit at home…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/many-people-are-skeptical-about-marriage-of-michael-jackson-and-lisa/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Back in the old days, a man could just get sick and die. Now they have to wage a battle. So my Uncle Bert…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/back-in-the-old-days-a-man-could-just-get-sick-and-die-now-they-have/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [The man that does not fear punishment, little regards crime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/the-man-that-does-not-fear-punishment-little-regards-crime/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) [Explore all 205 Norm MacDonald quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) ## More Enemies quotes > [“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 > [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/) > [“If it takes night to make day, pain to know pleasure, black to make white, then doesn't it stand to reason that the depth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-snyder/if-it-takes-night-to-make-day-pain-to-know-pleasure-black-to-make/) Michael Snyder > [“Enemies Teach. Friends Preach.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tapan-ghosh/enemies-teach-friends-preach/) [Tapan Ghosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tapan-ghosh/) > [Your greatest weapon is your enemies mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddha/your-greatest-weapon-is-your-enemies-mind/) [Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddha/) > [“THE UNFORGIVEN Tell me if you've ever had to deal with these kinds of people: The kind who take and don't give. The kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/the-unforgiven-tell-me-if-you-ve-ever-had-to-deal-with-these-kinds-of/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [Sometimes even paranoids have enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delmore-schwartz/sometimes-even-paranoids-have-enemies/) [Delmore Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delmore-schwartz/) > [When a husband brings his wife flowers for no reason, there's a reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-mcgee/when-a-husband-brings-his-wife-flowers-for-no-reason-there-s-a-reason/) Molly McGee > [You should never hate anyone, even your worst enemies. Everyone has something good about them. You have to find the redeeming quality and love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-walls/you-should-never-hate-anyone-even-your-worst-enemies-everyone-has/) [Jeannette Walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-walls/) > [“Anyone who is portraying Israel as a friend is a servant of Israel. I warn some sides against turning enemies into friends and friends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sayed-hassan-nasrallah/anyone-who-is-portraying-israel-as-a-friend-is-a-servant-of-israel-i/) [Sayed Hassan Nasrallah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sayed-hassan-nasrallah/) > [No accurate thinker will judge another person by that which the other person's enemies say about him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/no-accurate-thinker-will-judge-another-person-by-that-which-the-other/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Whoever will not love his enemies cannot know the Lord and the sweetness of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches us to love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silouan-the-athonite/whoever-will-not-love-his-enemies-cannot-know-the-lord-and-the/) [Silouan the Athonite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silouan-the-athonite/) > [I play basketball hard-nosed and if you're not on my team, during that 48 minutes we're enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-barnes/i-play-basketball-hard-nosed-and-if-you-re-not-on-my-team-during-that/) [Matt Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-barnes/) > [“Enemies are people who's story you haven't heard, or who's face you haven't seen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-butter/enemies-are-people-who-s-story-you-haven-t-heard-or-who-s-face-you/) Irene Butter > [A sweet thing, perspective - a chance to see your enemies so small.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/a-sweet-thing-perspective-a-chance-to-see-your-enemies-so-small/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) [Browse all 1,888 Enemies quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemies/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Instead of loving your enemies, have no enemies to love.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Norm MacDonald" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/instead-of-loving-your-enemies-have-no-enemies-to-love/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Enemies" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/instead-of-loving-your-enemies-have-no-enemies-to-love/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a0/norm-macdonald-1825_enemies_instead-of-loving-your-enemies-have-no-e_1031072.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a0/norm-macdonald-1825_enemies_instead-of-loving-your-enemies-have-no-e_1031072.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a0/norm-macdonald-1825_enemies_instead-of-loving-your-enemies-have-no-e_1031072.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Instead of loving your enemies, have no enemies to love.” — Norm MacDonald", "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": "Norm MacDonald", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Instead of loving your enemies, have...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/instead-of-loving-your-enemies-have-no-enemies-to-love/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/instead-of-loving-your-enemies-have-no-enemies-to-love/#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 } } ] } ```