You Have Enemies?

In the modern world we live in, too often people stretch themselves in an attempt to preserve political correctness and the sense of fragility that we have to associate with our interactions with other people. There is a distinct presence in our society of the pressure to speak so delicately and deliberately so as to not offend a single individual. This presence, for example, is no more acute than in political debates – except when Trump takes the floor.

While speaking so as to avoid offending anyone is valuable for obvious reasons, there are situations where passion takes hold, and one must speak their mind at whatever cost it may have. If you’ve learned anything thus far, Churchill would be the one to encourage such brusqueness.

He once said, undoubtedly in response to someone worrying about their enemies “You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life”. That’s our boy Churchill – calling them like he sees them.

In general, most people would balk at the idea of speaking of gaining enemies in such a congratulatory manner. To Churchill, the seasoned statesman that we have come to know and love, he is well aware that to get anywhere in life, one has to engage in some no-holds barred stand-up-for-what-you-believe in type rhetoric.

The positive and rewarding nature of this quotation is focal to its value as a gem of wisdom. The initial questions creates a sort of anticipation that one would expect to lead to chastise about making enemies and not being cordial enough. However, Churchill utilizes the tension that he generated to drive home the point that making enemies can be quite valuable by delivering a succinct second sentence: “Good”. His terseness once again adds meaning.

He then goes on to explain why he believes creating enemies is so important. Granted, if one can stick up for what one believes in without offending others and creating enemies, that could be a preferred track. However, the way that Churchill words it emphasizes the notion that one cannot, at any cost, give up standing up for what one believes in, specifically at the cost of making enemies.

Personally, I’ve experience situations countless times where I have done the exact opposite of what Churchill is advocating for in this quote.

Image Courtesy of Brian Katz

Retroactively, perhaps he is right though. The world we live in has become a more and more sugar-coated one, seen through rose-colored glasses by a large part of the population. We must strive not to sit back because we are too worried about making one or two enemies. In my life, I can distinctly recall occasions where someone, most often a student in classes if my memory serves me right, would say something that I vehemently opposed, but I bit my tongue to avoid making enemies.

Why? Why would I do that? Simply because someone else doesn’t agree with my ideas should not warrant me containing my own beliefs. Never compromise your own passions and ideologies in an attempt to not offend someone else. Try to not offend others if you can, because that usually makes for a more compelling and engaging argument rather than that immediately distances the other person from your conversation. However, when it really comes down to it, if you need to, offend that other person. Do what you can to avoid contention, but standing up for what you believe in is what makes you who you are. Don’t sacrifice that – make some enemies.