---
title: ":one enemy can do more hurt, than ten friends can do good. — Jonathan Swift Quote #14 | QuotesBy.net"
description: ":one enemy can do more hurt, than ten friends can do good. — a quote by Jonathan Swift."
image: "https://quotesby.net/wp-content/themes/quotesby-editorial/assets/og-default.png"
---

> # :one enemy can do more hurt, than ten friends can do good.

[Jonathan Swift](https://quotesby.net/Jonathan-Swift)\#14

[Relationships](https://quotesby.net/Jonathan-Swift/relationships/)[Friendship](https://quotesby.net/Jonathan-Swift/friendship/)[Danger](https://quotesby.net/topics/danger/)[Enemies](https://quotesby.net/topics/enemies/)[Harm](https://quotesby.net/topics/harm/)[Risk](https://quotesby.net/topics/risk/)

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## About this quote

What does it mean?Swift suggests that a single enemy can cause more harm than many friends can provide benefit.In plain termsOne enemy can hurt you more than ten friends can help you.What can you take from it?Be wary of enemies as they cause disproportionate harm.

### Where it applies

- navigating relationships
- assessing risks

### Putting it to work

- caution in alliances
- risk assessment

### Questions to consider

- How much harm can one enemy cause?
- Is danger outweighed by support?

### Another view

Friends often provide lasting support that outweighs enemies.

## More from Jonathan Swift

1. > I love good creditable acquaintance; I love to be the worst of the company.

[Permalink to quote \#13](https://quotesby.net/Jonathan-Swift/13/ "Permalink to quote 13")
2. > But nothing is so hard for those who abound in riches, as to conceive how others can be in want.

[Permalink to quote \#15](https://quotesby.net/Jonathan-Swift/15/ "Permalink to quote 15")
3. > We are so fond of one another, because our ailments are the same.

[Permalink to quote \#12](https://quotesby.net/Jonathan-Swift/12/ "Permalink to quote 12")

## Related quotes

1. > No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla](https://quotesby.net/Lucius-Cornelius-Sulla)[Lucius Cornelius Sulla quote \#4](https://quotesby.net/Lucius-Cornelius-Sulla/4/ "Permalink to quote 4")
2. > Every murderer is probably somebody's old friend.

[Agatha Christie](https://quotesby.net/Agatha-Christie)[Agatha Christie quote \#9](https://quotesby.net/Agatha-Christie/9/ "Permalink to quote 9")
3. > Learning carries within itself certain dangers because out of necessity one has to learn from one's enemies.

[Leon Trotsky](https://quotesby.net/Leon-Trotsky)[Leon Trotsky quote \#25](https://quotesby.net/Leon-Trotsky/25/ "Permalink to quote 25")

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