History WorthyOpponent / Literature

** Ned Stark felt this way about the Kingsguard he and his companions had to slay in One particular instance that highlights this is when Ned makes it a point to return [[KnightInShiningArmor Arthur Dayne's]] sword, Dawn, back to his family. Ned later calls Dayne the finest swordsman he ever knew.

* The Canim from ''Literature/CodexAlera'' series consider one of these better to have than a friend. Specifically, they have a term for "trusted enemy", which is ''gadara''. To be a ''gadara'' is to be highly respected, both as an opponent and a peer; for example, a ''gadara'' can enter his own ''gadara's'' camp and expect to not be attacked by the guards, as only ''gadara'' can spill their blood. ''Gadara'' are, however, still ''technically'' enemies, just [[FriendlyEnemy friendly ones.]] Warmaster Varg considers his own ''son'' as ''gadara'' to him, and vice versa.

** John Clay in ''The Red-Headed League'' is so hard to catch that he and Holmes never see each other until the story. This trope kicks in near the end-Clay outright praises Holmes for his arrangements and quick thinking, while Holmes compliments Clay for his excellent scheme and how close it came to succeeding. Furthermore, although Clay is outright rude to Inspector Jones, he bows to Holmes and Watson as he heads off to jail.

“No talk shall be of dogs,” said he, “when wolf and gray wolf meet.\\

What dam of lances brought thee forth to jest at the dawn with Death?”''

** Another example would be Rider and Archer. While Rider is generally affable and respectful against everyone (including the aforementioned Lancer and Saber) unless they show themselves as despicable, Archer is an incredible elitist who considers Rider one of the only beings in the world worth actually respecting. They consider each other worthy opponents to the point that before their final clash, they stop to finish their wine and have one last conversation before each casually walks to the starting positions of the duel. However, Archer does note that while he respects Rider, he ''does not'' consider him an equal, saying that only one man has he ever considered as such, and never again. Those familiar with [[Literature/TheEpicOfGilgamesh Archer's identity and legend]] will know exactly who he's referring to.

-->So 'ere's to you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, at your 'ome in the Soudan;
-->You're a pore benighted 'eathen but a first-class fightin' man....

* Played with in ''Literature/HarryPotter''.

* Emeth, the good Calormene from ''Literature/TheLastBattle'', tells Peter that he'd be glad to have him either for an enemy or for a friend, and that there's a Calormene poet who wrote, "A noble friend is the best gift and a noble enemy the next best." (Possibly, he sought to invoke a legend about the RealLife Muslim conqueror Saladin, who was famous for his "noble" treatment of Christian enemies.)

* British statesman Lord Chesterfield regarded the Jesuits as the "most able and best governed society in the world." in ''Literature/LettersToHisSon'' (letter 85).

* In the [[Literature/{{Dragaera}} Vlad Taltos]] novels chronologically after ''Phoenix'', Vlad develops this relationship with Jhereg noble called the Demon. As one of the leaders of the [[TheSyndicate Jhereg Organization]], the Demon is obligated to have Vlad killed for breaking the rules of the Organization and testifying to the Empire. He also makes it very clear that it's nothing personal and deeply respects Vlad's cunning and skills, saying that he would have liked to have Vlad as a subordinate. For his part, Vlad respects the Demon's intelligence and pragmatism and admits he would have liked to work under the Demon.

* Emeth, the good Calormene from Creator/CSLewis's ''Literature/TheLastBattle'', tells Peter that he'd be glad to have him either for an enemy or for a friend, and that there's a Calormene poet who wrote, "A noble friend is the best gift and a noble enemy the next best." (Possibly, he sought to invoke a legend about the RealLife Muslim conqueror Saladin, who was famous for his "noble" treatment of Christian enemies.)
* This is how the Nadir ruler Ulric views Druss the Legend, Deathwalker, in ''Literature/{{Legend|1984}}'' by Creator/DavidGemmell. [[spoiler:When Druss falls, Ulric gives him an epic funeral pyre, and honourably accepts some of Druss's allies on the walls to the ceremony.]]

* In ''The Missing Necklace'', one of ''Literature/TheThinkingMachine'' stories, Scotland Yard detective Herbert Conway greatly admires jewel thief Mr. Leighton, who is so clever and daring that he steals famous jewels at society gatherings right under the owner's noses, sometimes right from the owner who is wearing them — and yet manages to avoid detection every time.

* In Creator/DavidGemmell's ''Ravenheart''. One of the Villain's men, Huntsekker, kills one of his own men for breaking a promise made to one of the enemy.

* Bungo Pete in ''Run Silent, Run Deep''.

** The Earl of Thirsk is regarded by the protagonists in ''Literature/{{Safehold}}'' to be the single most dangerous commander the enemy has. Given that he was able to score the first victories against the otherwise [[CurbStompBattle Curb Stomping]] Imperial Charisian Navy, this assessment is completely justified.

* In ''Literature/TheSpiritThief'':

* Simok Aratap in Creator/IsaacAsimov's ''Literature/TheStarsLikeDust''.
--> '''Rizzett:''' You know, if the Tyranni were all like him, damned if I wouldn't join their fleet.
* Franchise/StarWarsLegends:

* In Scott's ''The Talisman'', Sir Kenneth and the Saracen.
* In ''People of the Wind'' Ythrians and Terrans are worthy opponents of each other, and in the Flandry era of the ''Literature/TechnicHistory'' series several Meresians are as well. In this series and elsewhere Creator/PoulAnderson tends to prefer that the antagonist side has at least one admirable person on it, even if sympathy on the whole is a blatantly against them.
* Towards the climax of ''Literature/TollTheHounds'' Kallor of all people comes to regard [[spoiler: Spinnock Durav]] as a WorthyOpponent right after their duel.
-->'''Kallor''': ''I have never before faced such a defense.''

* In Creator/DanAbnett's ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' ''Literature/{{Eisenhorn}}'' novels, Inquisitor Gregor Eisenhorn regards the SealedEvilInACan Pontius Glaw as a being who is intelligent, erudite, charismatic, and likable, and regretfully remarks that if Glaw hadn't chosen to follow Chaos, then they would have been the best of friends.
* Varr in Creator/BenCounter's ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' novel ''[[Literature/SoulDrinkers Chapter War]]''. When he learns that the Soul Drinkers are renegades, he admits to being in a penal unit for having revolted, for much the same reasons. He does not fight them until compelled by the Howling Griffons, and apologizes for it.
* In John French’s ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000 Literature/ThousandSons'' trilogy, Ahriman gains a grudging respect and admiration for Inquisitor Iobel after she, a mere human with much less psychic power than him, inflicts significant damage to his [[MentalWorld memory palace]] during their BattleInTheCenterOfTheMind. The respect is not mutual on her part.

* In Creator/WilkieCollins's epistolary novel ''Literature/TheWomanInWhite'', [[AffablyEvil Count Fosco]] spends a great part of the few pages he narrates rambling about his Worthy Opponent [[ActionGirl Marian Halcombe]]. Granted, part of the rambling is because he's also in love with her. But still.

* ''LightNovel/FateZero'':