You May Also Like / View all maxioms
By flatterers besieged
And so obliging that he ne'er obliged.
By flatterers besieged
And so obliging that he ne'er obliged.
Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present.
Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present.
Flattery is the worst and falsest way of showing our esteem
Flattery is the worst and falsest way of showing our esteem
'Tis an old maxim in the schools,
That flattery's the food of fools;
Yet now and then read more
'Tis an old maxim in the schools,
That flattery's the food of fools;
Yet now and then your men of wit
Will condescend to take a bit.
Flattery is like cologne water, to be smelt of, not swallowed.
Flattery is like cologne water, to be smelt of, not swallowed.
Knavery and flattery are blood relations.
Knavery and flattery are blood relations.
O that men's ears should be
To counsel deaf but not to flattery!
O that men's ears should be
To counsel deaf but not to flattery!
We sometimes imagine we hate flattery, but we only hate the way we are flattered.
We sometimes imagine we hate flattery, but we only hate the way we are flattered.
Avoid flatterers, for they are thieves in disguise.
Avoid flatterers, for they are thieves in disguise.
