--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An enemy to whom you show kindness…" description: "\"An enemy to whom you show kindness becomes your friend.\" — Saadi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49c/saadi-2340_compassion_an-enemy-to-whom-you-show-kindness-becom_1346060.png" --- # An enemy to whom you show kindness becomes your friend. ![“An enemy to whom you show kindness becomes your friend.” quote by Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49c/saadi-2340_compassion_an-enemy-to-whom-you-show-kindness-becom_1346060.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49c/saadi-2340_compassion_an-enemy-to-whom-you-show-kindness-becom_1346060.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49c/saadi-2340_compassion_an-enemy-to-whom-you-show-kindness-becom_1346060.png) > “An enemy to whom you show kindness becomes your friend.” [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Showing kindness to an enemy can transform hostility into friendship. **In simple terms:** Kindness can change an enemy into a friend. Key Takeaway Practice empathy toward adversaries. Themes humanity conflict kindness transformation Mood reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal disputes - international diplomacy - community mediation Key Concepts Compassion enemy perception relationship dynamics Questions to Reflect On - Will you extend kindness to those who oppose you? - What risks accompany trusting an enemy? A Different Perspective Kindness may be misinterpreted as weakness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [Lust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lust/) [Show Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/show-kindness/) ## Related quotes > [An enemy to whom you show kindness becomes your friend, excepting lust, the indulgence of which increases its enmity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/an-enemy-to-whom-you-show-kindness-becomes-your-friend-excepting-lust/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [One who knows how to show and to accept kindness will be a friend better than any possession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/one-who-knows-how-to-show-and-to-accept-kindness-will-be-a-friend/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [I, for one, am profoundly grateful to feel the hand of God at work in my life. But at the beginning and end of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charity-sunshine-tillemann-dick/i-for-one-am-profoundly-grateful-to-feel-the-hand-of-god-at-work-in/) [Charity Sunshine Tillemann-Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charity-sunshine-tillemann-dick/) > [To the eye of enmity virtue appears the ugliest blemish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/to-the-eye-of-enmity-virtue-appears-the-ugliest-blemish/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [It's hard to show kindness to people who hate me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faith-barroa/it-s-hard-to-show-kindness-to-people-who-hate-me/) [Faith Barroa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faith-barroa/) > [People who smile at your face and show kindness to you are the one busy plotting against you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chops/people-who-smile-at-your-face-and-show-kindness-to-you-are-the-one/) [Chops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chops/) > [“It is similar to one brother asking another, “Why did you grow up to be a drunk?” The answer is “Because Dad was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-de-becker/it-is-similar-to-one-brother-asking-another-why-did-you-grow-up-to-be/) [Gavin de Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-de-becker/) > [Show kindness and respect to everyone. Pure intentions make the biggest difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-keibler/show-kindness-and-respect-to-everyone-pure-intentions-make-the/) [Stacy Keibler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-keibler/) > [Do no harmful actions, do not become attached to the cycle of death and rebirth, show kindness, respect the old and have compassion for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dogen/do-no-harmful-actions-do-not-become-attached-to-the-cycle-of-death/) [Dogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dogen/) > [Don't just show kindness in passing or to be courteous. Show it in depth, show it with passion, and expect nothing in return. Kindness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/don-t-just-show-kindness-in-passing-or-to-be-courteous-show-it-in/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [I shall pass through life but once. Let me show kindness now, as I shall not pass this way again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/i-shall-pass-through-life-but-once-let-me-show-kindness-now-as-i/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [When you show kindness to others, you bring out the best in yourself, and a side-effect of brightening up somebody elses life is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-rowe/when-you-show-kindness-to-others-you-bring-out-the-best-in-yourself/) [Rashida Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-rowe/) > [“Precisely. You are a man of great character yourself, are you not? Wishing to show kindness to the poor, a man of godly ideals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-dickerson/precisely-you-are-a-man-of-great-character-yourself-are-you-not/) [Melanie Dickerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-dickerson/) > [“Consider another core teaching of Jesus. It was he who said that all those who followed him would be known by their radical ability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-dekker/consider-another-core-teaching-of-jesus-it-was-he-who-said-that-all/) [Ted Dekker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-dekker/) > [“Keep to yourself. Once you show kindness, people WILL take advantage of you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-afe/keep-to-yourself-once-you-show-kindness-people-will-take-advantage-of/) Kimberly Afe ## More by Saadi > [Human beings are members of a whole, In creation of one essence and soul. If one member is afflicted with pain, Other members uneasy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/human-beings-are-members-of-a-whole-in-creation-of-one-essence-and/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [If thou art of elephant-strength or of lion-claw, still peace is, in my opinion, better than strife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/if-thou-art-of-elephant-strength-or-of-lion-claw-still-peace-is-in-my/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Astride a horse I am not, nor camel-like carry a load, Subjects I have none, nor follow any sultan's code; I worry not for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/astride-a-horse-i-am-not-nor-camel-like-carry-a-load-subjects-i-have/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Whatever is produced in haste goes hastily to waste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/whatever-is-produced-in-haste-goes-hastily-to-waste/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [The rose and thorn, the treasure and dragon, joy and sorrow, all mingle into one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/the-rose-and-thorn-the-treasure-and-dragon-joy-and-sorrow-all-mingle/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [When the ruler is obedient to God, God is his protector and friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/when-the-ruler-is-obedient-to-god-god-is-his-protector-and-friend/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Riches are for the comfort of life, and not life for the accumulation of riches. I asked a holy wise man, "Who is fortunate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/riches-are-for-the-comfort-of-life-and-not-life-for-the-accumulation/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Where the hand of tyranny is long we do not see the lips of men open with laughter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/where-the-hand-of-tyranny-is-long-we-do-not-see-the-lips-of-men-open/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [All human beings are limbs of the same body. God created them from the same essence. If one part of the body suffers pain,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/all-human-beings-are-limbs-of-the-same-body-god-created-them-from-the/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Roam abroad in the world, and take thy fill of its enjoyments before the day shall come when thou must quit it for good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/roam-abroad-in-the-world-and-take-thy-fill-of-its-enjoyments-before/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [It is wrong to follow the advice of an adversary; nevertheless it is right to hear it, that you may do the contrary; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/it-is-wrong-to-follow-the-advice-of-an-adversary-nevertheless-it-is/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [A man is insensible to the relish of prosperity 'til he has tasted adversity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/a-man-is-insensible-to-the-relish-of-prosperity-til-he-has-tasted/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [If thou art wise, incline to truth; for truth, not the semblance, remains in its place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/if-thou-art-wise-incline-to-truth-for-truth-not-the-semblance-remains/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Patience accomplishes its object, while hurry speeds to its ruin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/patience-accomplishes-its-object-while-hurry-speeds-to-its-ruin/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [He who, when he hath the power, doeth not good, when he loses the means will suffer distress. There is not a more unfortunate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/he-who-when-he-hath-the-power-doeth-not-good-when-he-loses-the-means/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) [Explore all 159 Saadi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) ## More Compassion quotes > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“I fight with love and kindness as my weapons and compassion as my defense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/i-fight-with-love-and-kindness-as-my-weapons-and-compassion-as-my/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“If you refuse to use physical force, then you will be at the mercy of your oppressor!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segun-magbagbeola/if-you-refuse-to-use-physical-force-then-you-will-be-at-the-mercy-of/) Segun Magbagbeola > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-are-puzzled-and-bewildered-whenever-we-see-suffering-in-this-world/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“Helpers in every corner, helpers in every hood. That's how we'll make the move, to reform from rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/helpers-in-every-corner-helpers-in-every-hood-that-s-how-we-ll-make/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [May the gods have mercy on whoever pisses them off, because Zarek and Jericho will have none for them. (Madoc) You’d better be glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/may-the-gods-have-mercy-on-whoever-pisses-them-off-because-zarek-and/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [But victimhood was seductive, a release from responsibility and caring. Fear would be transmuted into weary resignation; failure would no longer generate guilt but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/but-victimhood-was-seductive-a-release-from-responsibility-and-caring/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“la ilaha ilallah muhammadun rasulullah, alaihi salatullah wa alihi wal ahibba "shine your mercy like the sun, and be gracious as the earth let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-al-habib/la-ilaha-ilallah-muhammadun-rasulullah-alaihi-salatullah-wa-alihi-wal/) Talib al Habib > [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) [Browse all 9,892 Compassion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "An enemy to whom you show kindness becomes your friend.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Saadi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/an-enemy-to-whom-you-show-kindness-becomes-your-friend/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compassion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/an-enemy-to-whom-you-show-kindness-becomes-your-friend/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49c/saadi-2340_compassion_an-enemy-to-whom-you-show-kindness-becom_1346060.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49c/saadi-2340_compassion_an-enemy-to-whom-you-show-kindness-becom_1346060.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/49c/saadi-2340_compassion_an-enemy-to-whom-you-show-kindness-becom_1346060.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“An enemy to whom you show kindness becomes your friend.” — Saadi", "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": "Saadi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "An enemy to whom you show...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/an-enemy-to-whom-you-show-kindness-becomes-your-friend/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/an-enemy-to-whom-you-show-kindness-becomes-your-friend/#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 } } ] } ```