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Keep your friends close and your enemies closer

created by BaronCarlos

(idea) by McCart42 (10.5 mon) (print)   ?   (I like it!) Sat Nov 09 2002 at 19:10:46

This phrase is popularly attributed to this scene from The Godfather Part II.
Michael Corleone talking to Frankie Pentangeli to arrange a meeting with the Rosato brothers right after Michael was almost assassinated:
Michael: It was Hyman Roth that tried to have me killed. I know it was him.
Frankie: Jesus Christ, Mike, Jesus Christ, look, let's get them all. Let's hit them all. Now while we got the muscle...
Michael: ...My father taught me many things here - he taught me in this room. He taught me - keep your friends close but your enemies closer. Now if Hyman Roth sees that I interceded in this thing, in the Rosato Brothers' favor, he's going to think his relationship with me is still good...That's what I want him to think. I want him completely relaxed and confident in our friendship. Then I'll be able to find out who the traitor in my family was.

However I've seen it other places - Sun Tzu wrote this in The Art of War: To know your enemy, you must become your enemy... Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.


printable version
chaos

Enemies List The Godfather Part II I can hang out with guys without fucking them! It's nice to share a Universe with you
The Art of War It took the helpless maidens to make him a knight of chivalry Malevolent benefactors C++: the scope of friendship
Dungeoneer's Survival Guide You can't make an omelet without killing a few people The Godfather Sun Tzu
Noder's guide to Copenhagen Where do you hide when the dark is alive? Making friends with your enemies A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court - A Word Of Explanation
Michael Corleone A wild rabbit's intelligence Alpha Complex's secret societies Software Project Survival Guide
Fallen Angel William A. Jackson Put Palm Trees in Your Stories Friends
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