--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is lawful to be taught by an enemy…" description: "\"It is lawful to be taught by an enemy. Fas est ab hoste doceri.\" — Ovid" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29c/ovid-276_enemy_it-is-lawful-to-be-taught-by-an-enemy-fa_1928128.png" --- # It is lawful to be taught by an enemy. Fas est ab hoste… ![“It is lawful to be taught by an enemy. Fas est ab hoste doceri.” quote by Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29c/ovid-276_enemy_it-is-lawful-to-be-taught-by-an-enemy-fa_1928128.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29c/ovid-276_enemy_it-is-lawful-to-be-taught-by-an-enemy-fa_1928128.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29c/ovid-276_enemy_it-is-lawful-to-be-taught-by-an-enemy-fa_1928128.png) > “It is lawful to be taught by an enemy. Fas est ab hoste doceri.” [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Learning from an enemy can be a strategic advantage, turning hostility into knowledge. **In simple terms:** It is okay to learn from a foe. Key Takeaway Turn adversaries into teachers. Themes strategy learning conflict Mood cautious analytical Type philosophical strategic When to use this quote - military training - business competition - personal growth - political negotiations Key Concepts enemy knowledge adaptation wisdom Questions to Reflect On - When can you safely learn from a rival? - What are the ethical limits of such learning? A Different Perspective Learning from enemies may risk betrayal or moral compromise. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Enemy Fas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy-fas-3001059/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Lawful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lawful/) [Lawful Taught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lawful-taught-3001058/) [Taught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taught/) [Taught Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taught-enemy-3001057/) [Teaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teaching/) ## Related quotes > [It is good to be taught even by an enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/it-is-good-to-be-taught-even-by-an-enemy/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Right it is to be taught even by the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/right-it-is-to-be-taught-even-by-the-enemy/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [All the lessons you need to learn in life, he said, will be taught to you by your enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-johnson/all-the-lessons-you-need-to-learn-in-life-he-said-will-be-taught-to/) [Adam Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-johnson/) > [ What is lawful is undesirable; what is unlawful is very attractive. \[Lat., Quod licet est ingratum quod non licet acrius urit.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/what-is-lawful-is-undesirable-what-is-unlawful-is-very-attractive-lat/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [The mere toleration of the slave trade could not make slavery itself - the right of property in man - lawful any where; not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/the-mere-toleration-of-the-slave-trade-could-not-make-slavery-itself/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [“Marriage is lawful, merchandise is lawful, husbandry is lawful, but never one of these is lawful when they hinder thee from the Lord.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/various/marriage-is-lawful-merchandise-is-lawful-husbandry-is-lawful-but/) [Various](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/various/) > [For lawful power is still superior found, When long driven back, at length it stands the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/for-lawful-power-is-still-superior-found-when-long-driven-back-at/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [If war is ever lawful, then peace is sometimes sinful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-war-is-ever-lawful-then-peace-is-sometimes-sinful/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The world is so lawful that not even a single mosquito can touch you, as long as you do not interfere. If your interference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/the-world-is-so-lawful-that-not-even-a-single-mosquito-can-touch-you/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [Americans have a right to obtain firearms for lawful purposes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-cawthorn/americans-have-a-right-to-obtain-firearms-for-lawful-purposes/) [Madison Cawthorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madison-cawthorn/) > [“This makes it Lawful for a Man to Kill a Thief, who has not in the least hurt him, nor declared any design upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/this-makes-it-lawful-for-a-man-to-kill-a-thief-who-has-not-in-the/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mcconaughey/is-it-not-lawful-for-me-to-do-what-i-will-with-mine-own/) [Matthew McConaughey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mcconaughey/) > [There is in all of a strong disposition to believe that anything lawful is also legitimate. This belief is so widespread that many persons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/there-is-in-all-of-a-strong-disposition-to-believe-that-anything/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [“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/) > [The law is the collective organization of the individual's right to lawful defense of his life, liberty and property. When it is used for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-law-is-the-collective-organization-of-the-individual-s-right-to/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) ## More by Ovid > [Every woman thinks herself attractive; even the plainest is satisfied with the charms she deems that she possesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/every-woman-thinks-herself-attractive-even-the-plainest-is-satisfied/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Suppressed grief suffocates, it rages within the breast, and is forced to multiply its strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/suppressed-grief-suffocates-it-rages-within-the-breast-and-is-forced/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Honesty, by evil fortune tried, Finds in adversity the seed of praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/honesty-by-evil-fortune-tried-finds-in-adversity-the-seed-of-praise/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [It is some alleviation to ills we cannot cure to speak of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/it-is-some-alleviation-to-ills-we-cannot-cure-to-speak-of-them/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [ A mind conscious of right laughs at the falsehoods of rumour. \[Lat., Conscia mens recti famae mendacia risit.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/a-mind-conscious-of-right-laughs-at-the-falsehoods-of-rumour-lat/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Time is generally the best doctor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/time-is-generally-the-best-doctor/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [It is convenient that there be gods, and, as it is convenient, let us believe there are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/it-is-convenient-that-there-be-gods-and-as-it-is-convenient-let-us/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [I hate a woman who offers herself because she ought to do so, and cold and dry thinks of her sewing when making love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/i-hate-a-woman-who-offers-herself-because-she-ought-to-do-so-and-cold/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [The sea's vast depths lie open to the fish; Wherever the breezes blow the bird may fly; So to the brave man every land's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/the-sea-s-vast-depths-lie-open-to-the-fish-wherever-the-breezes-blow/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Rare is the virtue that's not ruled by Fortune, That stands unshaken even when Fortune flees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/rare-is-the-virtue-that-s-not-ruled-by-fortune-that-stands-unshaken/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Thus all things altered. Nothing dies. And here and there the unbodied spirit flies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/thus-all-things-altered-nothing-dies-and-here-and-there-the-unbodied/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [How little is the promise of the child fulfilled in the man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/how-little-is-the-promise-of-the-child-fulfilled-in-the-man/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Judgement of beauty can err, what with the wine and the dark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/judgement-of-beauty-can-err-what-with-the-wine-and-the-dark/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Leave war to others; 'tis Protesilaus' part of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/leave-war-to-others-tis-protesilaus-part-of-love/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Remove but the temptations of leisure, and the bow of Cupid will lose its effect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/remove-but-the-temptations-of-leisure-and-the-bow-of-cupid-will-lose/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) [Explore all 771 Ovid quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) ## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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": "It is lawful to be taught by an enemy. 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