Harry Potter and the philosophers stone posits that it takes courage to stand up to your enemies but a great deal more courage to stand up to your friends.
I agree with this.
I think the difference is the status quo.
You don’t mind your ‘enemy’ disliking you because you dislike them too. That’s the default dynamic of the relationship.
But with a friend it’s different. You like this person, you enjoy their company and want to continue being friends.
Standing up to them could risk that relationship. Let’s face it there’s a chance it all goes wrong and the friendship is ruined.
I believe a real friendship should be stable enough to respect differing views and survive a few standing up to each other but it can feel terrifying all the same, especially the first time.
Thomas Duggan 