Music, even in situations of the greatest horror, should never be painful to the ear but should flatter and charm read more

Music, even in situations of the greatest horror, should never be painful to the ear but should flatter and charm it, and thereby always remain music.

Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present.

Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present.

What really flatters a man is that you think him worth flattering.

What really flatters a man is that you think him worth flattering.

Nobody can describe a fool to the life, without much patient self-inspection.

Nobody can describe a fool to the life, without much patient self-inspection.

Flattery is the worst and falsest way of showing our esteem

Flattery is the worst and falsest way of showing our esteem

The best way to convince a fool that he is wrong is to let him have his own way.

The best way to convince a fool that he is wrong is to let him have his own way.

Young men think old men are fools, but old men know young men are fools.

Young men think old men are fools, but old men know young men are fools.

Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished read more

Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people in order to betray them.

Mine eyes
Were not in fault, for she was beautiful;
Mine ears, that heard her flattery; nor read more

Mine eyes
Were not in fault, for she was beautiful;
Mine ears, that heard her flattery; nor my heart,
That thought her like her seeming. It had been vicious
To have mistrusted her.