The MPs wishing to replace Theresa May as prime minister have policies — but do they know what their electorate makes of them as human beings? In one of his many essays, Plutarch (fl. ad 100) analysed how your enemies could help you see how you came across to others.
He began by stating that all governments had to put up with malice, jealousy and the desire to come out on top. But as early man learned that wild animals, his natural enemies, could in fact be a most agreeable source of food, clothing and medicine, so politicians could learn how to turn their mortal enemies to advantage.
Plutarch’s point was that enemies were always on the lookout, watching your every move and that of your friends and intimates, ‘prying into your actions, teasing out and investigating your plans… and especially getting a firm grip on your failings and hunting them down’.
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