Flattery was formerly a vice; it has now become the fashion.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
I will praise any man that will praise me.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Every flatterer lives at the expense of him who listens to him.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
Flattery is a kind of bad money, to which our vanity gives us currency.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
He that is much flattered soon learns to flatter himself.—We are commonly taught our duty by fear or shame, but how can they act upon a man who hears nothing but his own praises?
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
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
Flattery is like friendship in show, but not in fruit
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
The more we love our friends, the less we flatter them; it is by excusing nothing that pure love shows itself.
—Moliere (1622–73) French Playwright
Flattery is the worst and falsest way of showing our esteem
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
There is no detraction worse than to overpraise a man; for if his worth prove short of what report doth speak of him, his own actions are ever giving the lie to his honor.
—Owen Feltham (1602–1668) English Essayist
Deference before company is the genteelest kind of flattery. The flattery of epistles affects one less, as they cannot be shown without an appearance of vanity. Flattery of the verbal kind is gross. In short, applause is of too coarse a nature to be swallowed in the gross, though the extract of tincture be ever so agreeable.
—William Shenstone (1714–63) British Poet, Landscape Gardener
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 Religious Leader, Theologian
I cannot think of any character below the flatterer, except he who envies him.
—Richard Steele (1672–1729) Irish Writer, Politician
‘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
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
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
Flattery is all right if you don’t inhale.
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–65) American Diplomat, Politician, Orator
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
Look closely at those who patronize you. Half are unfeeling, half untaught.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Knavery and flattery are blood relations.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Adroit observers will find that some who affect to dislike flattery may yet be flattered indirectly by a well-seasoned abuse and ridicule of their rivals.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Self-love is the greatest of all flatterers.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
We love flattery, even when we see through it, and are not deceived by it, for it shows that we are of importance enough to be courted.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
He that flatters you more than you desire either has deceived you or wishes to deceive.
—Italian Proverb
Avoid flatterers, for they are thieves in disguise.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Political leader, Philosopher
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
Between flattery and admiration there often flows a river of contempt.
—Minna Antrim (1861–1950) American Writer, Epigrammist
What really flatters a man is that you think him worth flattering.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
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