03/07/2025
The second law in The 48 Laws of Power says, "Never Put Too Much Trust in Friends, Learn How to Use Enemies." This means that trusting friends too much can backfire because they might get jealous or resentful and end up betraying you. On the other hand, if you handle your enemies wisely, they can actually be more dependable and motivated to show their worth.
Ben had always believed in the power of friendship. He and Liam had been good friends since they were at school days. When they graduated, Ben learned that Liam had gone abroad for a job to support his family and a year later, Liam returned to their town battling the suspicion of tumor, Ben’s heart swelled with compassion. He was determined to help his friend regain his footing.
With a stable position as Mr. Zuri's right-hand man, Ben leveraged his influence to secure Liam a job at the company. It felt good to be there for someone who had been by his side for so long. They became best friends and business partners, and Ben poured everything into their venture—his time, resources, and unwavering support. He helped Liam to reach his dreams and even prioritized Liam over himself.
But when life challenged Ben, everything changed. Mr. Freeman fired Ben and charges were brought against him, and when he turned to Liam for support—it smashed him to find that his best friend had vanished into thin air. Instead of standing by him in this dark hour, Liam distanced himself from Ben's plight, claiming he was on good terms with Freeman while simultaneously bad-mouthing Ben to protect himself.
The betrayal cut deep; it was not just a loss of friendship but an awakening to reality. In that moment of despair, Ben realized that he had placed too much trust in someone who had never truly been a friend. The very person he thought would stand by him had conspired against him in silence. Liam became ally and loyal to Freeman.
As he sat alone in the aftermath of betrayal, reflecting on everything that had transpired, Ben understood the essence of Law 2 from Robert Greene's "The 48 Laws of Power": "Never Put Too Much Trust in Friends; Learn How to Use Enemies." Friends can become envious or resentful; they can turn against you when you least expect it. Enemies can be more reliable if managed correctly—they have something to prove.
Ben learned that true loyalty is often found where one least expects it; sometimes those labeled as enemies can become your greatest allies if approached strategically, just like Liam to Freeman. With this newfound wisdom, he resolved not only to rebuild himself but also to approach future relationships with caution and discernment.
Stay tuned for next story...
