It means: Keep your true friends close to you, and keep the ones who are quick to turn on you, or stab you in the back where you can see them!!! If given just half the chance...your enemy will use your friendship for their secret weapon.
Keep Your Friends Close And Your Enemies Closer. What's The True Meaning Of This Statement?
I think it means keep your friends close but enemies closer so you can keep an eye out to see what they are doing in case they plan to do something to you.
In my opinion your friends will screw you as well as your enemies will, but if you keep them close to you you will know what they are up to. Almost at all times.
It means that you keep your friends in your heart and your enemies in eye and ear shot so that you know what they are up to and if it will affect you.
You should always keep your friends close so that you will know when they need your help. However, you can trust your friends, so you do not have to watch them all the time. Your enemies, on the other hand, should be close enough to watch at all times.
And so of course you can learn your enemies strength and weaknesses and you can tell them what you want to tell them or hold back information. Basically it's tricking the enemy into thinking you are really their friend.. But you know.. If this is the case and they trust you enough to confide in you then... I would THINK there would be some mutual respect and understanding by then!... And therefore still not a need to kill each other.. Anyway that's my take
It means be everyones friend so they think your the nicest person, and both friends and non-alike will probably stab you in the back, but be aware....
The way we all heard it in the context of the GodFather it made perfect sense. In truth it is a bit of a conundrum. The thing is there are true friends and people who "act like your friend" but in truth they could your greatest enemy.
Others before me IMO answered it correctly by saying you need to keep your eyes and ears open, when it comes to your enemies. Hopefully not too many of us "really have enemies" in the sort of context that this phrase was made popular in the movie: The GodFather".
Others before me IMO answered it correctly by saying you need to keep your eyes and ears open, when it comes to your enemies. Hopefully not too many of us "really have enemies" in the sort of context that this phrase was made popular in the movie: The GodFather".