While I can see potential danger in hiring friends, I think it's wrong to say outright that it's a bad idea.
Most bad hiring of friends comes from being bad at hiring in general. If you hire someone BECAUSE they're your friend, then you're doing it wrong. The idea is to hire people who are qualified and who you know to be quality over a long period of time.
Used properly, friendship can just be considered a source for good references in this case, and potentially some additional glue during tough times.
It's true there are risks to hiring friends, especially if it's done poorly or for the wrong reasons, but it's also true that there can be extraordinary benefits.
Most bad hiring of friends comes from being bad at hiring in general. If you hire someone BECAUSE they're your friend, then you're doing it wrong. The idea is to hire people who are qualified and who you know to be quality over a long period of time.
Used properly, friendship can just be considered a source for good references in this case, and potentially some additional glue during tough times.
It's true there are risks to hiring friends, especially if it's done poorly or for the wrong reasons, but it's also true that there can be extraordinary benefits.