If we would not flatter ourselves, the flattery of others could not harm us.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Everyone likes flattery; and when you come to Royalty you should lay it on with a trowel.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Flatterers look like friends, as wolves like dogs.
—George Chapman (c.1560–1634) English Poet, Playwright
There is no tongue that flatters like a lover’s; and yet in the exaggeration of his feelings, flattery seems to him commonplace.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
Of all wild beasts preserve me from a tyrant; and of all tame, from a flatterer.
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
Every flatterer lives at the expense of him who listens to him.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
Although a skilful flatterer is a most delightful companion, if you can keep him all to yourself, his taste becomes very doubtful when he takes to complimenting other people.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Flattery is often a traffic of mutual meanness, where, although both parties intend deception, neither are deceived.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Flatterers are the worst kind of enemies.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
It is easier and handier for men to flatter than to praise.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Philosopher
‘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.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. Love me and I may be forced to love you.
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
Baloney is flattery laid on so thick it cannot be true, and blarney is flattery so thin we love it.
—Fulton J. Sheen (1895–1979) American Catholic Theologian
Let flattery, the handmaid of the vices, be far removed.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
But it is hard to know them from friends, they are so obsequious and full of protestations; for a wolf resembles a dog, so doth a flatterer a friend.
—Walter Raleigh (1552–1618) English Courtier, Navigator, Poet
Women who are either indisputably beautiful, or indisputably ugly, are best flattered upon the score of their understandings; but those who are in a state of mediocrity are best flattered upon their beauty, or at least their graces: for every woman who is not absolutely ugly, thinks herself handsome.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
It has well been said that the arch-flatterer, with whom all petty flatterers have intelligence, is a man’s self.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Flattery is the worst and falsest way of showing our esteem
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
Flattery is a form of hatred.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Let those flatter who fear; it is not an American art
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
We swallow with one gulp the lie that flatters us, and drink drop by drop the truth which is bitter to us.
—Denis Diderot (1713–84) French Philosopher, Writer
Nothing is so great an instance of ill-manner as flattery. If you flatter all the company, you please none; if you flatter only one or two, you affront the rest.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
He that loves to be flattered is worthy of the flatterer.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
The only benefit of flattery is that by hearing what we are not, we may be instructed what we ought to be.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
The most skilful flattery is to let a person talk on, and be a listener.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
It is happy for you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are the result of previous study?
—Jane Austen (1775–1817) English Novelist
Between flattery and admiration there often flows a river of contempt.
—Minna Antrim (1861–1950) American Writer, Epigrammist
Flattery, though a base coin, is the necessary pocket-money at court; where, by custom and consent, it has obtained such a currency, that it is no longer a fraudulent, but a legal payment.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
Flattery is all right if you don’t inhale.
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–65) American Diplomat, Politician, Orator
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