Fake friends aka frenemies, are people who just pretend to be a friend in front of you.
When you are fine and happy, these false friends will be closed to you.
But once you are down in the dump, they will dump you right away.
Once your problem or hardship is over, shamelessly they come back to your side.
As New York writer Christian Nestell Bovee said: “False friends are like our shadow, keeping close to us while we walk in the sunshine, but leaving us the instant we cross into the shade.”
British literary critic John Churton Collins put it even more beautifully: “In prosperity our friends know us. In adversity we know our friends.”
It is very true indeed to say that false friends are worse than bitter enemies.
I am sure you agree with me that the less you associate with some people, your life will improve.
As American statesman Colin Luther Powell says, your friends will either stretch your vision or choke your dream. And those friends that don’t increase you will eventually decrease you.
So be wise when making friends.
You will become like those friends with whom you closely associate with.
Powell puts it so profoundly. He says that if you hang around with wolves, you will learn how to howl.
But, if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights.
Like it or not, people can tell a lot about us by the friends we keep.
As we spend considerable time with them, and somehow their influence will shape our thinking and behavior.
Naturally we choose those friends whom we like and comfortable with.
Those who agree with your self-image and values.
Bear in mind that it is important to be with positive, supportive people who support you and truly want you to be successful, and at the same time they dare to give you constructive criticism.
Read Colin Powell’s book “My American Journey” and be inspired by his views on family and personal responsibilities.
You should also check out another one of his equally powerful book entitled “It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership“.