Enemies
Are often more useful to us than our friends
April 13th 2016
It is a tradition to raise monuments or statues to the men and women who have contributed wonderful things to a society, to a culture or even to humanity as a whole. It is right to do so. Nevertheless, I believe it is to our enemies that we should erect the most beautiful monuments and statues... For they are our true benefactors, thanks to whom we are forced to become more vigilant, more intelligent, more patient and masters of ourselves. To overcome the obstacles they put in our way, we have to go in search of peace and light within, that otherwise we would not have needed to explore. Do you think I’m joking? All the same, try to reflect a little on this idea: our friends often put us to sleep with their affection and compliments, whereas our enemies stimulate us.
You might say, ‘But they are hostile, they are poisonous.’ Certainly, but if you have a sincere wish to advance, you will receive all the knowledge and strength necessary to make use of every obstacle your enemies put on your path. These obstacles are like rungs of a ladder which allow you to climb higher and higher.