proverb · Words worth keeping
There is no such thing as an insignificant enemy.
There is no such thing as an insignificant enemy.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
A person or force dismissed as insignificant may still cause harm. Consider the actual opportunity and consequences rather than judging a threat only by apparent size.
Example
A small unresolved fault in a shared tool receives attention because repeated use could turn it into a larger practical problem.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The proverb challenges the reassuring label small enemy. Someone with little visible power may still have access, persistence or a particular advantage that makes dismissal unwise. Its useful concern is a gap between appearance and capability. A proportionate response identifies what could happen and how to reduce that exposure. It should not encourage treating every critic, competitor or unfamiliar person as an enemy. Disagreement is often manageable through ordinary conversation, and evidence may show that a supposed threat is slight or absent. Attention should remain specific rather than becoming general suspicion.
When to use it
Use it to question dismissal of a credible risk based on size alone.
Keep in mind
The word enemy is adversarial. Avoid applying it to ordinary differences of opinion or using the saying to justify hostility.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional (French-language collection)
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown