The enemy of my enemy is my friend: where did this expression come from?

Many of us have heard the phrase "the enemy of my enemy is my friend", but not everyone knows where this phrase originated from, who was the first one to say it. Why did this expression find such an active embodiment in human culture? Why is it still used by people?

We will try to find answers to these questions.

Where did this proverb come from?

There are many versions of where the proverb "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" originated. Some sources refer it to Arab history, claiming that this phrase was pronounced by a prince of one of the Arab countries, who was betrayed by his own homelands, and then severely executed.

According to historians of literature, this aphorism, most likely, refers to Eastern wisdom. This can be seen from the division of the sentence based on the denial: the one who is the enemy of my enemy becomes a friend to me.

However, it is impossible to find out for sure who the author of the phrase "Enemy of my enemy is my friend" is impossible today. This proverb today can be considered as a sample of oriental folklore, which remains in demand in the modern world.

The meaning of expression in people's lives

In people's lives, it often happens that people unite in order to take revenge on the common offender. Such phenomenon in psychology is called "association on the basis of a common motive". This motive can be either positive or negative. In this case, you can be friends with a person with whom you are united by a common hatred and a thirst for revenge towards a certain person.

However, such friendship, in fact, is not friendship, because it is only a temporary union of people on the basis of a common motive.

Therefore the expression "Enemy of my enemy is my friend" is controversial from a psychological point of view. With the enemy of your enemy you can unite temporarily, but it is unlikely to be friends with him. If such a friendship takes place, then this is a great rarity.

The essence of this expression in human history

The Eastern saying "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" most likely appeared in Western countries in the century before last when the mass colonization of Eastern countries began by Western states. However, Western leaders did not appreciate the whole meaning of this expression.

The difference between Eastern and Western culture lies in the fact that in the East completely different, long-antagonized states can unite in the face of external danger. This will be an example of a very peculiar friendship, but such a temporary unification is possible.

In the modern world geopolitics often use this aphoristic expression, considering the relations between Russia and China. Two of these great neighbors experienced different periods of their relationship, although they were openly hostile to them very rarely. Now the relationship between China and Russia is warm enough, which is associated with the presence of a common enemy - the US.

The Chinese as a whole do not hide that the US is both a competitor and an enemy for them. The same can be said for our country, which, after the end of the Cold War between the USSR and the US (which officially ended in reconciliation) feels that the Americans fraudulently managed to destroy the USSR and take control of a part of the Russian economy by plunging their former competitor Into the abyss of disasters of the 90s. 20th century.

Therefore for China and Russia, the proverb "Enemy of my enemy is my friend" remains relevant. Who said it - it does not matter, it is important that it reflects the essence of Russian-Chinese relations of today.

Expression in contemporary art and in life

The aphoristic expression, considered by us, found its reflection in works of art. These works are many. For example, the text is circulating in the net, the author of which is Fedorov AA - "Enemy of my enemy is my friend", where a short story about the vampire's adventures is offered.

There are other works performed in different genres of art, to which the expression considered in this article applies. These are movies, art paintings and theatrical plays.

In general, this expression has found its application in human culture. However, the question is most often put under it: is the enemy of the enemy a friend? Is it possible or impossible, and should such a friend be treated with confidence?

This paradox provides interest in this expression, which, most likely, will survive the century.