The phrase “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” is often attributed to Sun Tzu, the ancient Chinese military strategist and philosopher who wrote “The Art of War.” However, this exact phrase does not appear in the text of “The Art of War.”
Instead, the idea behind the phrase can be found in several passages from “The Art of War.” One relevant passage is found in Chapter 3, which discusses the use of spies:
“Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of business. If a secret piece of news is divulged by a spy before the time is ripe, he must be put to death together with the man to whom the secret was told.”
This passage suggests the importance of having spies to gather information and keep tabs on one’s enemies. The idea of being “subtle” also implies that one should not reveal their true intentions or motives, but rather keep them hidden in order to gain an advantage over their enemies.
Another relevant passage is found in Chapter 11, which discusses the use of deception:
“Thus, what enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge. Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation. Knowledge of the enemy’s dispositions can only be obtained from other men.”
This passage suggests that in order to be successful in warfare, one must have knowledge of their enemy’s plans and dispositions. This knowledge can only be obtained through other people, such as spies or informants. By keeping one’s enemies close, it becomes easier to gather this kind of information and gain an advantage in battle.
While the phrase “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” may not appear in “The Art of War,” it does capture the essence of Sun Tzu’s teachings on the importance of gathering information and understanding one’s enemies in order to be successful in battle.
The phrase has also been used in various other contexts, such as in politics and business. In these contexts, the idea behind the phrase is often that it is important to keep an eye on one’s competitors and adversaries in order to anticipate their actions and stay one step ahead.
In conclusion, the phrase “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” does not appear in “The Art of War,” but the idea behind the phrase can be found in several passages from the text. The importance of gathering information, understanding one’s enemies, and being subtle and deceptive are all key themes in Sun Tzu’s teachings on warfare.