The statement "If you want enemies, excel your friends; but if you want friends, let your friends excel you" is based on certain aspects of human psychology and social dynamics. Let's break it down to understand why this might be true:
Jealousy and Envy: When you excel your friends, especially in a way that makes them feel inferior or envious, it can lead to jealousy and strain the friendship. People might feel resentful or threatened if they perceive that you are consistently outperforming them.
Insecurity: Allowing your friends to excel and be successful in their own right can contribute to a supportive and nurturing environment. It helps reduce feelings of insecurity among friends and fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
Support and Encouragement: By encouraging your friends to excel, you demonstrate that you genuinely care about their success and well-being. Supporting them in their endeavors helps build a stronger bond and trust in the friendship.
Mutual Growth: When you let your friends excel, it can create an atmosphere of mutual growth and learning. You can share experiences, knowledge, and skills, which benefits everyone involved.
Avoiding Competition: Fostering a competitive atmosphere among friends can sometimes be detrimental to the friendship. By letting your friends excel, you shift the focus away from rivalry and towards collaboration and cooperation.
Empathy and Understanding: When you support your friends' successes, you demonstrate empathy and understanding. This builds emotional connections and deepens the friendship.
Balance and Reciprocity: Healthy friendships thrive on a balance of give and take. By allowing your friends to excel, you create room for reciprocity, where they may also encourage and support you in your pursuits.
However, it's essential to recognize that the balance in any friendship should be based on mutual respect and genuine care for each other's well-being. It's not about diminishing your own achievements or suppressing your potential; rather, it's about creating an environment where everyone can flourish and celebrate each other's successes.
In summary, the statement reflects the idea that true friendships are built on support, encouragement, and a sense of shared growth. By letting your friends excel, you cultivate an atmosphere of trust and camaraderie, which can lead to more fulfilling and lasting friendships.