By Prof. Protus Nathan Uzorma
In simple language, an enemy is anyone who is actively opposed or hostile to you. Anyone who wants you dead at all cost is your enemy. It’s of note however, to inform my reader here that the etymology of the word enemy is of the Latin origin “inimicus” meaning “hostile, unfriendly,” and it comes from the prefix in-, or “not” and “amicus, friend.”
An enemy is not a friend. For the Greeks, the word “enemy” is ‘Echthroi’ which is plural in nature, meaning, ‘the enemy’ (“literally enemies”). The singular form of the word, Echthros is used in many versions of the Bible as “enemy.”The point therefore is, should one trust his enemy? Can your enemy that has power over you be your friend? Is it better to trust the enemy you have identified, than trusting an angel you are yet to know? Can the enemy of your enemy be your friend?
According to Aristotle, “The enemy of my enemy is not my friend…” Is it possible for a ruler who is a friend to your enemy to be your friend? While waiting for answer in this connection, don’t forget that it was the same Aristotle who infers that, “The antidote for fifty enemies is one friend,” while Niccolo Machiavelli is credited to his famous philosophical dictum that “The enemy of my enemy is my friend. The friend of my enemy is my enemy.”
Sun Tzu is credited with the phrase “Keep your friends close; keep your enemies closer.” This deep philosophical accretion is made to educate humanity that one will be safer if one knows more about his enemies than his friend. The Bible says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”Prov. 27:6. It is very imperative for one to know his enemy while watching his friends.
Following the above, the friend of my enemy, cannot be my friend. In this circumstance, the friend of your enemy can stop at nothing in hurting you hence hurting you will make his enemy happy and glory in vanity. Your friend can hurt you and still remains your friend because a true friend will not hurt you to destroy you hence there’s empathy in his actions. However, your enemy will hurt you in order to destroy you. His joy is in seeing you gnash or rasp your teeth in pain.
Though, under certain appropriate circumstances and through skilful diplomacy, enemies can become friends. Wound from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses can be very suspicious. Sometimes, when you are hungry, even what is bitter, tastes sweet. When you are caged by your close enemy who pretend to be friend then the divine teachings of Christ as recorded in the book of Luke 6:35 becomes your consolation. “…Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return and your reward will be great…”
In ancient Oriental religion, Paundraka Vasudeve was a king who appeared in Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana. According to some ancient records, he was the king of Pundra kingdom. Some scholars are of the opinion that he was an ally of both Jarasandha, the king of Magadha and Shakuni, the king of the Gandhara kingdom. He was a major enemy of Lord Krishna. The point here is no matter your position and spiritual nature, you must have an enemy. Jesus had an enemy, the devil is an enemy of God hence he cast him down according to the order of divine allegory of existence.
Zoroastrianism was founded in Persia in the 6th century BCE by the priest Zarathustra, known to the Greeks as Zoroaster. Zarathustra reformed existing Persian polytheism with his teachings about the highest god, Ahura Mazda, and his primeval clash with Angra Mainyu, the destruction spirit. In the Zoroastrian religion Ahriman is the dark force of destruction (enemy) and corruption in Zoroastrian mythology.
He is the opposing force, the enemy of Ahura Mazda, who is regarded as the Lord of light. Even the gods of every existing religion have their enemies situated at their various conceptual temples and creed. Did any of these beings assigned rulership to their enemies within their territories? Your enemy can not guide you and does not have the good intension to rule over you. Please, permit me to “water down” this discussion to enable us know who our general enemies are.
Today in Nigeria, we have leaders that have made themselves enemies of the people. They tell lies to get into leadership positions and the moment they get there, the masses will be victims of their manipulation. Some of our leaders have failed us completely. They are unable to secure us thereby making themselves enemies of the people.
If truly power belongs to the people in accordance with democratic process, how come the people that power belongs to are suffering, while the few the people gave power are enjoying? They have made the masses suffer and suffer without hope.
In Nigeria for instance, the police, DSS, Military, and other security agencies are suffering. I travelled the other day by land and I saw our police and military men on duty at night protecting lives and property of the citizens under the rain. When I saw some of them, I wept and wondered how much may be there take home monthly to warrant this risk. Yet, they do it with joy and some with human face. On one occasion one of them pleaded with me for help and I asked if he has eaten for the day, he responded in the negative. I was touched and I assisted him, the reason for this point is to inform my readers that our security agencies are not left out in this whole suffering.
Some of them have not seen their families for months and years. Salaries are not paid and even when it’s paid, it’s not commensurate or equal to the level of sacrifices and input that they have made. An elected politician can steal our money and the same security agent, whose money is stolen, misappropriated, or embezzled, will in turn be his or her security, protecting a “thief.” The security operative will do this because he or she has no option. He or she must make ends meet in order to take care of his family. There’s no level playing ground for the general survival of the masses. I tell you the hidden and very objective truth; your enemy is protecting you. But can your enemy secure you? Deeply think about this and redress your steps.
If you are a politician who steals, misappropriates and embezzles public funds, and you are using security operatives, they are not happy with you take note. Because you are corrupt and untruthful to the oath of office, let it be known to you that your evil activities have made you the enemy of the people including those assigned to secure you. The law has no friend in its proper application in the temple of justice.
If you are elected into office and your policies are not favourable to your people and you are being secured by security operatives, you are not safe because those securing you are not happy with you and can arrest you if given the order and opportunity to do so. Having made yourself the enemy of the masses by embezzling public funds, diverting public funds to your personal use, and much more, your enemies are securing you and you cannot be too sure of your enemies.
If you are a governor and you kill, maim, destroy people, pull people down at will, kidnap journalists and kill them, use the people’s money to chase them away from their homes, deny security operatives of their monies, introduce anti-people’s policies in education, economy and health sector, but you move around and gallivant with hungry security operatives, verily, verily I say to you, your enemies are securing you. One day when the law shall catch up with you, the story must certainly change.
Can your enemy secure you?
Think!