The phrase "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" is an ancient proverb that has been used in various cultures and contexts throughout history. The origin of this saying is not attributed to a single individual or specific source.
It is a concept that reflects the idea that two parties who have a common enemy might temporarily come together to achieve a mutual goal, even if they are not otherwise friendly or aligned. The phrase has been used in military, political, and diplomatic contexts to describe alliances formed out of convenience rather than shared values or long-term friendship.
The concept can be found in ancient Sanskrit writings, in ancient Arabic proverbs, and even in Sun Tzu's "The Art of War," a Chinese military treatise from around the 5th century BCE, where a similar idea is expressed.
Since the saying has been around for centuries and exists in multiple cultures, it is challenging to pinpoint a single individual as its originator. Instead, it has become a widely used and recognized expression to describe temporary alliances formed against a common adversary.