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Nothing is more dangerous than a friend without discretion; even a prudent enemy is preferable.
Jean De La Fontaine
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Interpretation

What this quote means

A friend who lacks discretion can cause more harm than a cautious enemy.

This quote suggests that a friend's inability to keep confidences or act with prudence can be more harmful than having an enemy who is careful and measured in their actions. It emphasizes the importance of trust and the potential dangers posed by those who betray confidences or act recklessly within relationships.

Themes

FriendshipDiscretionTrustEnemyPrudent

In practice

Example use cases

Discussing the value of trust in a friendship during a speech at a community event.

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Quote by Jean De La Fontaine | QuoteProject