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We should ever conduct ourselves towards our enemy as if he were one day to be our friend.
John Henry Newman
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Treating enemies with kindness can lead to potential friendship.

This quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining a respectful and compassionate attitude towards those we consider enemies. By conducting ourselves in a friendly manner, we open the possibility for reconciliation and understanding, suggesting that today's adversary could become tomorrow's ally.

Themes

EnemyFriendshipKindnessRespectUnderstanding

In practice

Example use cases

In a team-building workshop, a facilitator could quote this to encourage empathy among colleagues.

More from John Henry Newman

It is as absurd to argue men, as to torture them, into believing.
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A cloud of incense was rising on high; the people suddenly all bowed low; what could it mean? The truth flashed on him, fearfully yet sweetly; it was the Blessed Sacrament - it was the Lord Incarnate who was on the altar, who had come to visit and bless his people. It was the Great Presence, which makes a Catholic Church different from every other place in the world; which makes it, as no other place can be - holy.
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It is seldom we have the heart to throw ourselves, if I may so speak, on the Divine Arm; we dare not trust ourselves on the waters, though Christ bids us. We have not St. Peter's love to ask leave to come to him upon the sea. When we once are filled with that heavenly charity, we can do all things, because we attempt all things - for to attempt is to do.
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Now what is it moves our very hearts, and sickens us so much at cruelty shown to poor brutes? I suppose this first, that they have done no harm; next, that they have no power whatever of resistance; it is the cowardice and tyranny of which they are the victims which makes their sufferings so especially touching.
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A science is not mere knowledge, it is knowledge which has undergone a process of intellectual digestion. It is the grasp of many things brought together in one, and hence is its power; for, properly speaking, it is Science that is power, not Knowledge.
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Evil has no substance of its own, but is only the defect, excess, perversion, or corruption of that which has substance.
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Quote by John Henry Newman | QuoteProject