- English translation
For want of kindness we fell into coldness, and found ourselves a sweetheart in the enemy's house.
- Literal wording
Out of the scarcity of tenderness we passed the night in estrangement, and we took a beloved from the house of the enemy.
- Meaning and lesson
The speaker blames former companions for a falling-out: because they showed so little affection, the relationship cooled into estrangement. Left without warmth from those who should have offered it, the speaker turned for closeness to someone belonging to the enemy's camp, an unlikely and reluctant choice.
The saying expresses regret over the unfaithfulness of friends and shifts responsibility onto them. Its point is that the new attachment was forced, not freely chosen; it voices a grievance and a justification rather than general advice to seek out enemies.
- When it is used
Use it when lamenting that friends or loved ones withheld warmth, pushing you toward people from a hostile side. It fits reproachful remarks aimed at those who failed you, as a complaint and self-justification, not as advice to befriend enemies.
Cite or copy proverb
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