- published: 17 Jul 2012
- views: 11436593
An enemy or foe is a relativist term for an entity, whether an individual or a group, that is seen as forcefully adverse or threatening. The concept of an enemy has been observed to be "basic for both individuals and communities". The term "enemy" serves the social function of designating a particular entity as a threat, thereby invoking an intense emotional response to that entity. The state of being or having an enemy is enmity.
"Enemy" is a strong word, and "emotions associated with the enemy would include anger, frustration, envy, jealousy, fear, distrust, and possibly grudging respect". As a political concept, an enemy is likely to be met with hate, violence, battle and war. The opposite of an enemy is a friend or ally. Because the term "the enemy" is a bit bellicose and militaristic to use in polite society, informal substitutes are more often used. Often the substituted terms become pejoratives in the context that they are used. In any case, the designation of an "enemy" exists solely to denote the status of a particular group of people as a threat, and to propagate this designation within the local context. Substituted terms for an enemy often go further to meaningfully identify a known group as an enemy, and to pejoratively frame that identification. A government may seek to represent a person or group as a threat to the public good by designating that person or group to be a public enemy.
Lover, you're wrong
I'm not that strong
With a whisper your breath could just blow me away
So I'm clutching like hell to each word that you say
Like a flag to its mast in a hurricane
Lover, beware
This hijacked prayer means as much as the praises I raised as a child
When my lips did their duty while my insides went wild
Every Sunday the Lord was beguiled
CHORUS
Are we enemies of simplicity?
Have we done wrong?
Or are we just friends who let touching hands linger a little too long?
Don't close your eyes
It's no surprise
I'm adrift in the ocean and you are the coast
You're the one I'm ignoring 'cause I need you the most
Heaven help us if we get too close
CHORUS
How can this be wrong?
And forever might not be too long.