I began writing when I was still in the British Foreign Service, and it was then understood that even if you wrote about butterfly collecting, you used another name.
John Le CarreRead
After all, if you make your enemy look like a fool, you lose the justification for engaging him.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Engaging with one's enemy can undermine your own integrity if you make them appear foolish.
This quote suggests that when you demean your adversary to the point of foolishness, you compromise your own position and reasoning for confronting them. The act of engaging an enemy should be rooted in principles and dignity, rather than in the urge to humiliate, as this can ultimately diminish the moral high ground you seek to maintain.
Themes
EnemyFoolJustificationEngagementIntegrity
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about conflict resolution, this quote could emphasize the importance of maintaining integrity.
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If I had to put a name to it, I would wish that all my books were entertainments. I think the first thing you've got to do is grab the reader by the ear, and make him sit down and listen. Make him laugh, make him feel. We all want to be entertained at a very high level.
John Le CarreRead
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