Avoid flatterers, for they are thieves in disguise.

Avoid flatterers, for they are thieves in disguise.

They do not abuse the king that flatter him.
For flattery is the bellows blows up sin;
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They do not abuse the king that flatter him.
For flattery is the bellows blows up sin;
The thing the which is flattered, but a spark
To which that blast gives heat and stronger glowing;
Whereas reproof, obedient and in order,
Fits kings as they are men, for they may err.

By flatterers besieged
And so obliging that he ne'er obliged.

By flatterers besieged
And so obliging that he ne'er obliged.

Always let your flattery be seen through for what really flatters a man is that you think him worth flattering.

Always let your flattery be seen through for what really flatters a man is that you think him worth flattering.

It is easier and handier for men to flatter than to praise.
[Ger., Es ist dem Menschen leichter und read more

It is easier and handier for men to flatter than to praise.
[Ger., Es ist dem Menschen leichter und gelaufiger, zu
schmeicheln als zu loben.]

To be a man's own fool is bad enough; but the vain man is everybody's.

To be a man's own fool is bad enough; but the vain man is everybody's.

If he be so resolved,
I can o'ersway him; for he loves to hear
That unicorns may read more

If he be so resolved,
I can o'ersway him; for he loves to hear
That unicorns may be betrayed with trees
And bears with glasses, elephants with holes,
Lions with toils, and men with flatterers,
He says he does, being then most flattered.

Flattery is like cologne water, to be smelt of, not swallowed

Flattery is like cologne water, to be smelt of, not swallowed

Let us be thankful for the fools; but for them the rest of us could not succeed.

Let us be thankful for the fools; but for them the rest of us could not succeed.