[illys]

If two friends ask you to judge a dispute, and you don't accept... You might loose two friends since both of them think they are right and will not understand you do not support them.

[ChrisMarshallNY]

Then they aren't my friends. If a "friendship" is that delicate, I'm better off, without.

I have extremely close friends, with whom I have deep, fundamental, disagreements.

I have absolutely no problem, telling people that they are dreaming, if they think they can extort me into taking their side.

"Support" can mean that I won't participate in destructive behavior. I often can't stop others from doing it, but I can make sure I don't get dragged into the cesspool, and be ready with towels and a power washer, when they get out.

[ensignavenger]

This same exact argument could be applied to the first saying as well.

[spiderfarmer]

If they are that sensitive, I can also be sensitive and ask them why they've involved me in a conundrum where I stand to gain nothing.

[rsynnott]

That would be a mildly weird reaction to "I don't want to get involved in your dispute", in _most_ cases. (I think there are edge-cases where not wanting to get involved might in itself be taking a stand, but certainly for everyday disputes most people wouldn't take offence to "I don't want to get involved").

[brandall10]

I would trust they would instead be happy to have such a socially intelligent friend once the dust has cooled.