Only enemies speak the truth; friends and lovers lie endlessly

Stephen King, master of shadows and teller of human truths, once wrote: “Only enemies speak the truth; friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty.” At first hearing, these words strike the heart like a blade, for they invert what we expect. Should not friends be honest, and enemies deceitful? Yet King, with his gift for seeing into the hidden corners of the soul, reveals a paradox: those who love us are bound by affection and loyalty, and so they soften, conceal, and flatter. But our enemies, who have no such duty to protect us, pierce us with the truth, raw and unguarded.

The truth is often a hard mirror. A friend may see our flaws but hesitate to speak, fearing they will wound us or strain the bond. A lover may hide what they truly feel, weaving sweet illusions to preserve harmony. These lies are not always cruel; they are spun from the threads of loyalty, kindness, or even fear of loss. This is the “web of duty” King describes—relationships entangled in expectations, where honesty can feel like betrayal. Thus, those closest to us often guard us from the sharp edge of reality.

But the enemy—the rival, the critic, the one who despises us—has no such restraint. Their tongue cuts, and in their scorn, they often reveal what others dare not say. Their words may be cruel, but within cruelty can lie clarity. An enemy will tell you you are arrogant, lazy, cowardly, or false, while friends and lovers whisper softer lies to spare your pride. And though the enemy may exaggerate, their truth is often the bitter medicine that strips away illusion.

History shows us the power of this paradox. Consider Abraham Lincoln, who during his presidency surrounded himself not only with allies but with critics—his so-called “team of rivals.” His enemies spoke bluntly, sometimes harshly, revealing faults that others concealed. Yet Lincoln, wise enough to value their honesty, used their voices to sharpen his judgment. It was not flattery that guided him through the storms of civil war, but the hard clarity that only adversaries could provide.

In our own lives, we see the same. Think of a workplace, where a close friend may hesitate to tell you that your work is slipping, lest they wound you. But a rival will not hesitate to announce it before all. The rival’s words sting, but they awaken you to a failing you might have ignored. Here is the cruel gift of the enemy: they have no interest in your comfort, only in exposing what is weak. And in that exposure lies a chance for growth.

The lesson is not to despise friends or lovers for their protective lies, nor to glorify enemies for their brutal honesty. It is to recognize that truth comes in many forms, and often, the words we most resist hearing are the ones we most need. Do not cast aside criticism merely because it comes from an enemy; weigh it carefully, for in their hatred may be hidden the seed of wisdom. At the same time, strive to be the rare friend or lover who can love deeply while also daring to speak truth.

Practical action flows from this wisdom. Welcome criticism, even when it comes cloaked in hostility. Ask yourself: “Is there a kernel of truth in these words?” Do not hide from discomfort, for it sharpens you. And in your own relationships, dare to balance tenderness with honesty. Love does not mean endless lying; love means having the courage to speak truth gently but firmly, even when it risks pain. In this way, you honor both the bond of friendship and the call of truth.

Thus, Stephen King’s words stand as both warning and call: “Only enemies speak the truth; friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty.” Do not live only within the comfort of lies, nor only within the cruelty of enemies. Take truth wherever it comes, even if it is bitter. For the one who learns from the honesty of foes, and who dares to weave truth into love, will live with eyes open and heart strong.