keep your friends close and your enemies closer

keep your friends close and your enemies closer

Meaning

• to keep a keen eye on enemies beyond what one might have on their friends
• to be vigilant about the actions taken by enemies
• it's not a good idea to bother your enemies, be friendly with them but stay alert
• another meaning could be, don't hurt for your enemies by speech or behaviour to keep them calm and harmless

Example Sentences

1. As a politician you must keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
2. The competition in the business world today is such that it is best to keep your friends close and your enemies closer
3. She has asked you to keep your friends close and your enemies closer because she has some reason to suspect foul play. She has not given me any more information.
4. I have, in my life, always kept my friends close and my enemies closer.
5. To keep your friends close and your enemies closer is just good sense in competitive sports. You never know what is going on behind your back.

Origin

It is common practice for people to be aware of what their friends are up to but most people ignore what their enemies are doing. This phrase acts as an advice for people, especially who are in a competitive business to be mindful of their enemies to ensure that they are not doing anything untoward. This vigilance would help people overcome any strategy that might have been planned against them.