Der Mensch der Erkenntniss muss nicht nur seine Feinde lieben, er muss auch seine Freunde hassen können.
Foreword, in the Oscar Levy authorized translation.
Variant translations:
The man of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies but also to hate his friends.
Ecce Homo (1888)
Der Mensch der Erkenntniss muss nicht nur seine Feinde lieben, er muss auch seine Freunde hassen können.
Ecce Homo (1888)
1950s, Loving Your Enemies (November 1957)
1950s, Loving Your Enemies (Christmas 1957)
“The neurotic keeps minute track of his enemies; it is only his friends he is careless about.”
The Complete Neurotic's Notebook (1981), Neurotics and neurosis
“A good writer possesses not only his own spirit but also the spirit of his friends.”
“Everyone's friend is his reason; his enemy is his ignorance.”
Muhammad Kulayni, Usūl al-Kāfī, vol.1, p. 11 ; Wasā'il al-Shī‘ah, vol.1, p. 161.
Regarding Knowledge & Wisdom, General
"Proclamation to the people of Louisiana" from Mobile (21 September 1814).
1810s
1950s, Loving Your Enemies (Christmas 1957)
Context: Forgiveness does not mean ignoring what has been done or putting a false label on an evil act. It means, rather, that the evil act no longer remains as a barrier to the relationship. Forgiveness is a catalyst creating the atmosphere necessary for a fresh start and a new beginning. It is the lifting of a burden or the canceling of a debt. The words "I will forgive you, but never forget what you have done" never explain the real nature of forgiveness. Certainly one can never forget, if that means erasing totally for his mind. But when we forgive, we forget in the sense that the evil deed is no longer a mental block impeding a new relationship. Likewise, we can never say, "I will forgive you, but I won't have anything further to do with you." Forgiveness means reconciliation, a coming together again. Without this, no man can ever love his enemies. The degree to which we are able to forgive determines the degree to which we are able to love our enemies.
1950s, Loving Your Enemies (Christmas 1957)
Context: Third we must not seek to defeat or humiliate the enemy but to win his friendship and understanding. At times we are able to humiliate our worst enemy. Inevitably, his weak moments come and we are able to thrust in his side the spear of defeat. But this we must not do. Every word and deed must contribute to an understanding with the enemy and release those vast reservoirs of goodwill which have been blocked by impenetrable walls of hate.
