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

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.
John Henry NewmanRead
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.
John Henry NewmanRead
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.
John Henry NewmanRead
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.
John Henry NewmanRead
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.
John Henry NewmanRead
Evil has no substance of its own, but is only the defect, excess, perversion, or corruption of that which has substance.
John Henry NewmanRead

Similar quotes

We are forbidden to neglect the assembling of ourselves together. Christianity is already institutional in the earliest of its documents. The Church is the Bride of Christ. We are members of one another.
C. S. LewisRead
The thing that's between us is fascination, and the fascination resides in our being alike. Whether you're a man or a woman, the fascination resides in finding out that we're alike.
Marguerite DurasRead
There is not one in a hundred of either sex who is not taken in when they marry.
Jane AustenRead
People only tell lies when there is something they are terribly frightened of losing.
Orhan PamukRead
It was darkly rumoured that the butler, regarding him with favour such as that stern man had never shown before to mortal boy, had sometimes mingled porter with his table beer to make him strong.
Charles DickensRead
What if the idea of Mr. Right is completely false? What if there is no Mr. Wrong? What if every relationship-no matter how brief-contains a priceless lesson allowing you to grow and evolve into your grandest self?
Marie ForleoRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.