SAVE us from our friends The idea that friends may be more dangerous than professed enemies because precautions are taken against the latter, whereas a friend is trusted, is an old one; cf. Ovid Ars Amatoria I. 751
Non est hostis metuendus amanti. Quos credis fidos effuge: tutus eris , an enemy is not to be feared by the lover. Shun those whom you believe friends; then you will be safe. Both this short form and the expanded form represented by quot. 1604 are found.
1477 A. Wydeville Dicts. of Philosophers 127
Ther was one that praied god to kepe him from the daunger of his frendis.
1585 Q. Elizabeth in J. E. Neale Elizabeth I & her Parliament (1957) iv.
There is an Italian ...