phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

Keep your friends close

Posted by Bruce Kahl on October 13, 2001

In Reply to: Keep your friends close posted by nmatte on October 13, 2001

: I'm looking of the origin of the phrase, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer" I know it was used in the Godfather, and I've heard Marc Anthony said it, do you know?

I always thought it was from the Godfather #2.

Michael talking to Frankie Pentangeli to arrange a meeting with the Rosato brothers right after Michael was almost assasinated:

Michael: It was Hyman Roth that tried to have me killed. I know it was him.

Frankie: Jesus Christ, Mike, Jesus Christ, look, let's get them all. Let's hit them all. Now while we got the muscle...

Michael: ...My father taught me many things here - he taught me in this room. He taught me - keep your friends close but your enemies closer. Now if Hyman Roth sees that I interceded in this thing, in the Rosato Brothers' favor, he's going to think his relationship with me is still good...That's what I want him to think. I want him completely relaxed and confident in our friendship. Then I'll be able to find out who the traitor in my family was.

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