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I am your enemy, the first one you've ever had who was smarter than you. There is no teacher but the enemy. No one but the enemy will ever tell you what the enemy is going to do. No one but the enemy will ever teach you how to destroy and conquer. Only the enemy shows you where you are weak. Only the enemy tells you when he is strong. And the rules of the game are what you can do to him and what you can stop him from doing to you. I am your enemy from now on. From now on, I am your teacher.

Orson Scott Card#29

TruthWarLearningAdversity

About this quote

What does it mean?
The enemy teaches more than any friend or teacher could.
In plain terms
Only your opponent reveals your weaknesses and how to fight.
What can you take from it?
Adversity reveals truth and drives growth.

Where it applies

  • training
  • competition
  • self-improvement

Putting it to work

  • study your opposition
  • embrace challenges

Questions to consider

  • What can friends teach?
  • Is peace less instructive?

Another view

It glorifies conflict as the only path to knowledge.

More from Orson Scott Card

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  2. I've lived too long with pain. I won't know who I am without it.

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  3. Forget it, Mazer. I don't care if I pass your test, I don't care if I follow your rules. If you can cheat, so can I. I won't let you beat me unfairly - I'll be…

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