LAW 2: NEVER PUT TOO MUCH TRUST IN FRIENDS, LEARN HOW TO USE ENEMIES.

The measure of a man is said to lie in how many friends he has. But what is not known is that the true measure of his power actually lies in the number of his enemies.

This law stresses the value of hiring one’s enemies over one’s friends. Although a friend can be easy to rely on, a friend who has your trust is capable of using it against you. A friend can easily betray you when their judgment is clouded by the prestige of power, rank, and position. It can be said that to hire a friend would entail gaining a liability rather than an asset, for a friend will undoubtedly expect special treatment. Friends feel less inclined to work harder, thinking that their connections will be enough to keep the job. Because of all these expectations, the relationship can become oppressive; the friend will become lazy, ambitious, want more power, do less work, and will eventually do something drastic, (like overthrow you).

LEARN TO EXPLOIT YOUR ENEMIES. THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO PROVE.

To hire an enemy, on the other hand, is a different case altogether. Hiring an enemy, someone you loathe and who loathes you just the same, would take the enemy by surprise. Giving him a job to do will make him feel the need to prove himself worthy of the job, the need to work a level higher than what is expected of him. Enemies will always feel the need to prove that they are better than those they loathe, and, given an opportunity, will prove to be an excellent worker. So, to hire an enemy (in a way, a form of reverse psychology), use would mean to use his hatred to your advantage. Hire an enemy and gain a competent worker who will continue working hard so as long as you two remain enemies. Make the enemy be a part of your side, and see how much more work will get done, rather than if he had stayed as just an enemy. As the old saying goes, keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. It wouldn’t hurt you either, nothing better than an enemy working alongside you to keep you always on your toes, right?

EVEN THE CLOSEST FRIENDS CAN BECOME THE WORST OF ENEMIES.

What it all comes down to is the ability to judge a person’s character. The question is, how much do we really know are friends? How do we know who to trust? There is a risk either way. Naturally, most people would choose to trust a friend rather than an enemy. But we have years and years of historical evidence telling us to do otherwise.

Take Michael III, a young inexperienced ruler who had just been enthroned to the Byzantine Empire. His mother was murdered, and it was his ambitious and skilled uncle who conspired the murder in order for Michael III to gain the throne. During his reign, Michael III then had to choose whom to hire as chamberlain and chief councilor. He chose Basilius, his closest friend, over his competent uncle. Basilius was a mere peasant who by chance had saved Michael III’s life. Michael III trained him and spoiled him and loved him like a brother. Over time, Basilius gained power, money, and allies greater than Michael III, and it was not long until wealth and power took over and clouded Basilius’ judgment. Basilius betrayed his friend. He had Michael III killed, and took his power. What could have happened if Michael III only chose his uncle over his friend?

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In China, after the fall of the Han Dynasty, there was an age of instability. Overthrowing emperors, coups, violence, and treachery were prevalent. Everyone wanted power, and they would stop at nothing to gain it. It was said that to be an emperor during this time was a dangerous thing, because as an emperor, one must always be ready to be killed by an ambitious general.

Emperor Sung knew that, and so what he did was to keep his enemies on his side. He had all the generals sit down and spoke with them, offering them all the wealth and riches they wanted, as long as they were willing to give up their commands. They accepted, and at that instant, he had created loyal followers out of his enemies. He was able to do the same with other adversaries. When King Liu of the Southern Han family surrendered to him, Emperor Sung gave him a position in his palace. He did this numerous times, always doing something that the enemy wouldn’t expect in order to gain his respect and loyalty. Emperor Sung’s practices ended the age of violence and assassinations in China, and because of this, the Sung Dynasty ruled for almost three hundred years.

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Mao Tse-tung also used this tactic by using the enemy as a form of training for his army. When the Japanese invaded China, Mao simply let it be, thinking of the battle as practice, a way to make his troops stronger. And it worked. Mao used his enemies as enemies, to train and to improve his army. “Without a worthy opponent, a group cannot grow stronger,” he had said. Mao believed in the existence of enemies in order to develop and grow. He even believed in making enemies out of friends when the need arose.

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Remember to use your judgment wisely in choosing whom to trust. Learn form Michael III and hire only those who are skilled enough for the job, and trust only a few. Delight in your enemies for they are the keys to survival and success. Do not be disheartened by the number of enemies you have made in the past. Instead, do as Mao Tse-tung and Emperor Sung had done. Use your enemies to serve your own personal interest, and you will not go wrong.
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Mariel Aliwalas