“A doubtful friend is worse than a certain enemy”

Simplified Meaning:

Having a friend who you can't trust is more harmful than dealing with someone you know is against you. Imagine you have a friend who sometimes acts like they care about you, but other times they betray you or let you down. You never know where you stand with them, and this makes you anxious and uneasy. On the other hand, if you have an enemy, you know they don't like you and you can be prepared for their actions. For example, in history, Julius Caesar was more hurt by the betrayal of his close friend, Brutus, than by the actions of his known enemies. You know what to expect from an enemy, but the unpredictability of a doubtful friend can hurt you more deeply because of the broken trust. To apply this idea, it's useful to surround yourself with people who you know truly support you. It's better to keep distance from those whose loyalty you can't be sure of, even if they seem friendly sometimes. This way, you can protect yourself from unexpected betrayal and emotional distress.