We often meet antagonism from others. However, they help us identify our weaknesses. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and start maximising your potential.
Each of us has one at work, among friends, or among neighbours. He rejoices, discreetly or not, when we fail. Victor Hugo considered "friend" sometimes meaningless but "enemy" never. Looking at it closely, not having defeated an opponent should not be a source of delight.
According to Ramón y Cajal, people judge themselves by their allies and rivals. Why not use the unfriendly people one will meet in life wisely as they're unavoidable?
In his article "On the Usefulness of One's Enemies" about 20 centuries ago, the moralist Plutarch compared antagonistic people to seawater, which feeds fish even though it is not potable. Enemies can help us understand ourselves.
Knowledge has always advanced via enemies. The one who wants to hurt us is the ideal mirror for self-reflection and makes us accountable. Its reflection of ourselves is frequently the most accurate, without the blindness of the one who loves us .
Friends may think they're sincere, but Schopenhauer says antagonists are. Our opponents, free masters and dedicated judges, quickly point out our mistakes and weaknesses.
Thus, Plutarch notes, those who are forced by antipathies to be sober and not reckless and trusting become accustomed to not making mistakes and honing their conduct without realising it. By listening to criticism, they master caution, which Baltasar Gracián, a pretence and backstabbing expert, has written a manual on.
Plutarch believed silence was the best response to fury. Practiced spirits that don't let rage consume them can bite their tongue. The philosopher says, “there is nothing more dignified or more beautiful than remaining calm in the face of an enemy who insults us.” Silence is always respectful. If you want to display your hatred, don't insult your enemy too much.
Fiction shows the significance of enemies. After overcoming an invincible opponent, the protagonist in many stories learns more about himself. Social networks make the world seem nice, cheerful, and uniform.
They help us remove the Nemesis (antonomasia uses “nemesis” to mean rage or divine vengeance), which is near extinction. We filter thoughts and establish security like an igloo to protect our beliefs.
According to philosopher Byung-Chul Han, extreme positivism weakens us in a system with so little variation. Being complacent is the worse because we will all have a latent craving for something that hits us in the face and makes us suffer.
Plutarch may have thought differently about the high-tech era, but he would have advised us to stay cautious against those who hate us. Surround yourself with genuine friends and fervent foes to catch your mistakes and help you improve.
Confronting your opponents is a chance to establish yourself and succeed.