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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!
What really flatters a man is that you think him worth flattering.
What really flatters a man is that you think him worth flattering.
Of praise a mere glutton, he swallow'd what came,
And the puff a dunce, he mistook it for fame;
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Of praise a mere glutton, he swallow'd what came,
And the puff a dunce, he mistook it for fame;
Till his relish grown callous, almost to displease,
Who pepper'd the highest was surest to please.
Flattery is telling the other person precisely what he thinks about himself
Flattery is telling the other person precisely what he thinks about himself
Nay, do not think I flatter.
For what advancement may I hope from thee,
That no revenue read more
Nay, do not think I flatter.
For what advancement may I hope from thee,
That no revenue hast but thy good spirits
To feed and clothe thee? Why should the poor be flattered?
No, let the candied tongue like absurd pomp,
And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift may follow fawning.
They who delight to be flattered, pay for their folly by a late
repentance.
[Lat., Qu se laudari read more
They who delight to be flattered, pay for their folly by a late
repentance.
[Lat., Qu se laudari gaudent verbis subdolis,
Sera dant peonas turpes poenitentia.]
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.
Flattery is like cologne water, to be smelt of, not swallowed
Flattery is like cologne water, to be smelt of, not swallowed
It is easy to flatter; it is harder to praise.
It is easy to flatter; it is harder to praise.
