The second reason is power play. To a narcissist, life is a game, and everyone is their competition. Their ultimate goal is to win at all costs. Keeping their enemies close helps them maintain a power dynamic, assert dominance, and create a sense of superiority. This enables them to engage in psychological games, such as gaslighting or making their enemy feel insecure or inferior.
Social Appearances
The third reason is appearances. Even if it’s widely known that the narcissist and another person don’t get along, many narcissists are obsessed with how they’re perceived by others. To preserve their reputation, they often maintain a façade of friendliness or civility. This allows them to appear magnanimous or diplomatic in public while continuing to secretly undermine or discredit the individual.
Narcissistic Supply
The fourth reason is narcissistic supply. Narcissists derive a sense of validation, or “supply,” from their interactions with others, including those they dislike. Whether through conflict, attention, or even negative emotions, they use their enemies to feed their ego and elicit emotional reactions that affirm their sense of importance.
Closing Thoughts
In conclusion, this need to keep enemies close stems from a narcissist’s craving for control, validation, and their fragile sense of self. Narcissists are two-faced, vindictive, selfish, and dangerous. They care only about taking what they can from you, rejoicing in your downfall while pretending to love or care for you to achieve their goals.
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