“I Destroy My Enemies When I Make Them My Friends” – Abraham Lincoln

“Always forgive your enemies – nothing annoys them so much.” – Oscar Wilde

“Treat your friend as if he will one day be your enemy, and your enemy as if he will one day be your friend”

“Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” – Michael Corleone from “The Godfather”

In business or in personal life, enemies are the forces we are sought to stay away from and become bitter towards.

Why do we feel we must ignore our enemies and do everything we can to stay away from them?  What is a true “enemy?”

In business an “enemy” could be the competition, they may be good people but because they are affecting our pockets of success they are considered enemies.

In personal life “enemies” are people we don’t trust or affected us emotionally to become hatred towards or bitter.

So in both instances, enemies are our rivals or people who we do not want to be associated with because of an act or emotion delivered upon us.  The complete opposite of an enemy is a “friend” right?  Why can’t both enemies and friends be intertwined?

What do we have to lose?

I personally use to be stubborn and bitter towards all my enemies in both business and personally then I found out that I am feeding negative emotions just like when I feed towards people who are haters or jealous of me.  Two wrongs don’t make a right.

It’s like the classic story in War where there may be 5 nations under one rule where the Tyrant controls all 5 nations but is completely vicious and corrupt.  Instead of the 5 nations struggling fighting with each other, the nations should join forces towards one common goal is relinquishing power from the evil tyrant.

So what do we have to gain from keeping your enemies close by or putting up with their presence?