The Subtle Balance Between Mediation and True Friendship

In today's world, the boundary between facilitative actions and genuine friendship can be both subtle and ambiguous. Imagine a situation where an individual, acting as an intermediary, eliminates a threat—an enemy that disrupts stability. This raises a complex question: does his focused effort to remove the threat automatically result in the emergence of friendly relations? In reality, the key lies not only in addressing the problem but also in how effectively his actions contribute to restoring security and enhancing the quality of life. If the intermediary's efforts truly help eliminate dangers, his actions might be seen as an example of authentic support, thereby laying the groundwork for the development of trusting, friendly bonds. However, merely eliminating an enemy does not by itself transform the intermediary into a friend, unless his intervention is accompanied by a sincere commitment to protecting common interests and well-being. This topic invites us to reflect on the complexity of human relationships, emphasizing that true friendship is founded not only on actions but also on the intentions that underlie them.

How should one interpret the situation when an enemy is eliminated by someone else – does that mean the intermediary becomes a friend?

Based on the quotes from the text in file link , the situation is interpreted as follows. The text directly poses the question: "When it happens that an intermediary eliminates an enemy, the question arises, does he become a friend?..." – a question that reflects doubts about the assumption that an intermediary’s act of removing an enemy automatically makes him a friend. It is further clarified that "If the intermediary’s life helps to get rid of enemies, then he may assume the role of an actual friend..." This means that an intermediary can become a friend only if his actions in eliminating an enemy genuinely contribute to the removal of threats, rather than merely fulfilling a duty. In other words, the intermediary's actions may be perceived as positive and friendly if they lead to an improved situation and the protection of shared interests; however, this does not guarantee an automatic change in his status to that of a friend.

Supporting citation(s):
"Когда случается так, что посредник устраняет врага, возникает вопрос, становится ли он другом?..." (source: link )
"Если жизнь посредника помогает избавиться от врагов, то он может занимать роль фактического друга..." (source: link )