MOST PEOPLE would agree that having friends is worthwhile. Few will concede that it is also important to have enemies.
Friends afford us the pleasure of their company, some support when we feel needy, a soothing sense that we are part of a community, and they are likely to put in a good word when our name comes up among strangers.
When our day-to-day actions and attitudes involve a low-keyed amenability aimed at pleasing others, we are likely to acquire many acquaintances— a few of whom may become our friends. If instead, we express our personal thoughts and feelings openly, we are more likely to polarize those who do take notice— some of whom will become close friends and a few of whom will disapprove strongly enough to become our enemies.
Whichever of these modes we choose will be insignificant to most people. There are some people I would be embarrassed to have as friends. The enmity of people whose attitudes I find off-putting attests to the differences in our outlooks. I would prefer that if they spoke of me to strangers, that they would make clear their disapproval of my beliefs.
We all need friends, and enemies, too.