“A distant enemy is always preferable to one at the gate.”
History and Utopia (1960)
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Emil M. Cioran 531
Romanian philosopher and essayist 1911–1995Related quotes

"Although innumerable beings have been led to Nirvana no being has been led to Nirvana", §5, p. 85
Knots (1970)

“Nothing is as dangerous as an ignorant friend; a wise enemy is to be preferred.”
Rien n'est si dangereux qu'un ignorant ami;
Mieux vaudrait un sage ennemi.
Book VIII (1678-1679), fable 10.
Fables (1668–1679)
Variant: Nothing is more dangerous than a friend without discretion; even a prudent enemy is preferable.

Jasper Ridley, Tito: A Biography (Constable and Company Ltd., 1994), p. 323.
Other
The Story of Islamic Imperialism in India (1994)

1950s, What Desires Are Politically Important? (1950)