Source: The Scarlet Letter (1850), Chapter X: The Leech and His Patient
“An excellent man: he has no enemies, and none of his friends like him.”
Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish writer and poet
Quoted by George Bernard Shaw in a letter to Ellen Terry, 25 September 1896.
Context: On George Bernard Shaw An excellent man: he has no enemies, and none of his friends like him.
Aristotle (-384–-321 BC) Classical Greek philosopher, student of Plato and founder of Western philosophy
“He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.”
Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish writer and poet
“Wisdom and intellect is every man's friend, ignorance and illiteracy are his enemies.”
Ali al-Rida (770–818) eighth of the Twelve Imams
Ibn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p. 467.
Regarding Knowledge & Wisdom, General
“The neurotic keeps minute track of his enemies; it is only his friends he is careless about.”
Mignon McLaughlin (1913–1983) American journalist
The Complete Neurotic's Notebook (1981), Neurotics and neurosis
“4833. The wise Man draws more Advantage from his Enemies, than a Fool from his Friends.”
Thomas Fuller (writer) (1654–1734) British physician, preacher, and intellectual
Compare Poor Richard's Almanack (1749) : The wise Man draws more Advantage from his Enemies, than the Fool from his Friends.
Introductio ad prudentiam: Part II (1727), Gnomologia (1732)
