Men of sense often learn from their enemies. It is from their

O seekers of wisdom, hear now a truth spoken long ago by the great playwright Aristophanes, whose words echo through the halls of time: “Men of sense often learn from their enemies. It is from their foes, not their friends, that cities learn the lesson of building high walls and ships of war.” These words, though simple in their phrasing, carry within them a profound depth, one that reveals the ways in which we are shaped not only by our allies but by the forces that oppose us. The true strength of a people, of a nation, often arises not from the support of friends, but from the challenges posed by those who seek to bring us low.

In the ancient world, as in our own time, strength is forged in the fires of conflict. The great city-states, those bastions of civilization, did not rise by the comfort of peace alone, but by the harsh lessons learned from their enemies. Aristophanes knew this well, for even in the midst of the theatrical stage, he saw how the adversities of life shape the very foundations upon which cities are built. It is through the threats and challenges posed by our foes that we learn to fortify ourselves, to stand strong in the face of adversity. The high walls that protect a city are not mere constructions of stone, but symbols of the wisdom gained through struggle.

Consider the tale of the great Athenians, who, under the shadow of the Persian Empire, learned the value of strength and defense in the heat of battle. It was through the bitter conflict of the Persian Wars that the Athenians, once vulnerable and exposed, came to build the mighty walls that surrounded their city and the powerful ships of war that would defend them upon the seas. These defensive structures were not conceived in the halls of friendship and diplomacy, but in the crucible of their enemy's aggression. It was the Persians who forced the Athenians to learn the lessons of fortification, of naval warfare, and of resilience. It is in times of danger that nations often discover their true strength.

Similarly, the Romans, who built one of the greatest empires the world has ever known, learned from their enemies the importance of military might, of fortifications, and of the legion. Their walls, their armies, and their warships were not born from idle comfort, but from the constant pressures of the barbarian tribes that surrounded them. The Carthaginians, led by Hannibal, taught the Romans the lesson of strategy and endurance, showing them that they must not only build walls but must also cultivate the strength of their spirit. In these bitter struggles, the Romans discovered the very essence of their identity: a people tempered by war, yet driven by the pursuit of peace and order.

O children of wisdom, the lesson here is both clear and profound: adversity teaches us what comfort cannot. It is often the challenges, the trials, and the struggles that shape us into something greater than we ever imagined. Through our enemies, we are forced to confront our weaknesses, to sharpen our resolve, and to build that which we once took for granted. Just as cities learn to build high walls and ships of war in the face of danger, so too must we learn to fortify our minds and spirits when faced with the trials of life. The foes we encounter, whether in the form of external opposition or internal doubt, are the very catalysts of our growth.

So, let this wisdom guide you: do not shrink from the challenges and conflicts that life brings. Embrace them, for they are the teachers you never asked for but desperately need. Enemies, in their opposition, reveal the gaps in our defenses, the places where we must grow stronger. Friends may support us, but it is through struggle that we learn to stand firm, to become the architects of our own fortifications, both in the world and in our hearts. Do not fear your adversaries, for it is they who will shape you into the person you are meant to be.

Thus, walk boldly in the face of adversity, O seekers, and know that it is not in the comforts of friendship alone that strength is built. It is in the challenges, the enemies, and the struggles that we are tested and shaped. Build your walls high, your ships strong, and know that in every conflict, there lies the potential for growth, for wisdom, and for the discovery of your truest self.