“False friends are worse than open enemies”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
The phrase means that people who pretend to be your friends but secretly wish you harm or act against your interests are more dangerous than those who admit to being your enemies.
Tone Cautionary
Where it comes from
The phrase has its roots in proverbial wisdom and has been expressed in various forms throughout history. It emphasizes the dangers of deceit and the value of honest relationships.
Examples
- After the betrayal, Sarah realized that false friends are worse than open enemies.
- Thinking of her colleague’s sabotage, it hit her that false friends are indeed worse than open enemies.
- In his speech, he warned against insincere alliances, stating, ‘False friends are worse than open enemies.’
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