Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Frenemies? There's a Law for that.


Law 2 of The 48 Laws of Power: Never Put Too Much Trust In Friends, Learn How To Use Enemies

"Be wary of friends-- they will betray you more quickly, for they are easily aroused to envy. They also become spoiled and tyrannical. But hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove. In fact, you have more to fear from friends than from enemies. If you have no enemies, find a way to make them."

Damn that's bold. Didn't your mom say "be nice to everyone?" Now Robert Greene is saying you may want enemies more than friends for your own personal gain. After reading this, I sat in reflection of people who I would consider my enemies as I tried to extract a lesson or two.
I hate the word "hater." Some people just don't like your ass. Period. Let's be honest. They may not like the way you do things, or they may truly envy the way you've got it all together but whatever the case may be, having enemies is something we all experience. We may as well grow from it.

If I can be honest for a minute, I've learned about letting go of the past, about pleasing other people, about burning unnecessary bridges so I don't make a mistake and walk backwards, and about keeping my mouth shut to stupid people, all from enemies. Don't you think these are all necessary life lessons? Where would I be if I hadn't learned them? Where friends are so used to being pleasant, and family is with you no matter how much you act a fool, sometimes you need to experience that real loss to truly gain. Strength, courage, and wisdom don't come from walks among roses. You have to be tested. So thank you to my loyal enemies. Do you see how wonderfully everything's turning out for me?

PS. The image is of my two favorite "frenemies" Natalie and Kate from Bad Girls Club. Pure entertainment.

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