Question

Complete the following proverb:
Keep your friends close and your enemies ____.
a. away
b. far
c. closer
d. distance

Answer 1

Hint: A proverb is a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people.

Complete answer:
In the given question, the proverb means that one should be on their toes and alert of their surroundings if malicious people are around, to ensure such people can't wreak havoc in one's life. It refers to the fact that our friends should be close to support us, but our enemies should be more close so that we can guard ourselves from their malicious actions.
Let us analyze the options given to us in this question:
- Option (a.), 'away', refers to keeping the enemies/malicious people away which does not correlate to the meaning of the proverb as then one will not be able to stay alert of their actions.
Therefore, option (a.) is incorrect.
- Option (b.), ‘far', refers to keeping the enemies/malicious people far from oneself which does not correlate to the meaning of the proverb as then one will not be able to stay alert of their actions.
Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect.
- Option (c.), ‘closer', refers to keeping the enemies/malicious people away which does not correlate to the meaning of the proverb as then one will not be able to stay alert of their actions.
Therefore, option (c.) is correct
- Option (d.), ‘distance', refers to keeping one’s distance from enemies/malicious people which does not correlate to the meaning of the proverb as then one will not be able to stay alert of their actions.

> Therefore, option (d.) is incorrect.

Note: In this question, you will have to focus on the literary meaning of the given proverb. By keeping enemies closer to oneself, it is easier to be vigilant and alert of any plans which may harm us.