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It's easy to fall for a new person who represents an unknown factor, a blank relationship slate that's all mysterious and smacks of adventure and that tingly "new fling" feeling. Especially when you go home to the familiar and comfortable that makes you sigh with contentment but not necessarily with passion.
People are perverse. We always want what's on the other side of the fence, even if we have no idea whether the grass is really so green and lush and tender, or if it's just very convincing astroturf. I'd say your friend would be foolish to throw away his perfectly good, if "slightly used" relationship with Jen for a new, shiny relationship. If he's having serious doubts about Jen, that's one thing. But if it's just that he's having feelings for Mary and that's making him question his commitment...well, as Jess wisely said, he's in love, not dead. Everyone in a serious relationship goes through doubts and temptations.
I can see several outcomes:
1. He dumps Jen, and Mary turns out to be the love of his life. Hooray!
2. He dumps Jen, and things don't work out with Mary, and
a. Jen takes him back (ouch, but yay!)
b. Jen doesn't take him back (double ouch, you lose!)
3. He stays with Jen and wonders "what if" for the rest of his life. Join the club.
4. He stays with Jen and is perfectly happy. Yay!
I think he needs to look at each possible decision and wonder which ones he's willing to chance, and which outcomes he's willing to live with. Myself, I always prefer known quantities, but that's just me.
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"If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing."
- Anatole France
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