Many a man’s strength is in opposition, and when he faileth, he grows out of use.

Some people are powerful only against something. Their energy, clarity and nerve all come from having an opponent, and while the fight lasts they look formidable. The trouble comes when the fight ends or is lost, because a strength borrowed from resistance has nothing left to attach to, and the person seems suddenly smaller than the role they filled.

If you notice that your best self only appears in conflict, that is worth attending to before circumstances force it. Ask what you would build if there were nobody to argue with. Something that survives the end of the argument is worth having in reserve.