Many lick before they bite.
—Common Proverb
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
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
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 like friendship in show, but not in fruit
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
My opinion, my conviction, gains immensely in strength and sureness the minute a second mind as adopted it.
—Malcolm Muggeridge (1903–90) English Journalist, Author, Media Personality, Satirist
There is an oblique way of reproof, which takes off the sharpness of it, and an address in flattery, which makes it agreeable, though never so gross; but of all flatterers, the most skilful is he who can do what you like, without saying anything which argues he does it for your sake.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
We sometimes imagine we hate flattery, but we only hate the way we are flattered.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Imitation is the sincerest of flattery.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
I cannot think of any character below the flatterer, except he who envies him.
—Richard Steele (1672–1729) Irish Writer, Politician
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
He does me double wrong
That wounds me with the flatteries of his tongue.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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
Flattery is the worst and falsest way of showing our esteem
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
To be flattered is grateful, even when we know that our praises are not believed by those who pronounce them; for they prove at least our power, and show that our favor is valued, since it is purchased by the meanness of falsehood.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
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
Flattery was formerly a vice; it has now become the fashion.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
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
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
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
The most subtle flattery a woman can receive is that conveyed by actions, not by words.
—Suzanne Curchod (1739–94) French-Swiss Salonist, Writer
One should always speak sweet words that please the person from whom we expect a favor. To hunt for a deer, the hunter sings a melodious song first.
—Chanakya Neeti Anthology of Indian Aphorisms
Knavery and flattery are blood relations.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
I would rather hear the pleased laugh of a child over some feature of my exhibition than receive as I did the flattering compliments of the Prince of Wales.
—P. T. Barnum (1810–91) American Businessperson, Entertainer
Nothing flatters a man as much as the happiness of his wife; he is always proud of himself as the source of it.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Of all wild beasts preserve me from a tyrant; and of all tame, from a flatterer.
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
Self-love is the greatest of all flatterers.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver; and adulation is not of more service to the people than to kings.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
Let those flatter who fear; it is not an American art
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
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
Let flattery, the handmaid of the vices, be far removed.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
We sometimes think we hate flattery, when we only hate the manner in which we have been flattered.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Flattery is all right if you don’t inhale.
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–65) American Diplomat, Politician, Orator
Flattery is from the teeth out. Sincere appreciation is from the heart out.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
He that flatters you more than you desire either has deceived you or wishes to deceive.
—Italian Proverb
The reason that adulation is not displeasing is that, though untrue, it shows one to be of consequence enough, in one way or other, to induce people to lie.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
Flatterers are the worst kind of traitors for they will strengthen thy imperfections, encourage thee in all evils, correct thee in nothing, but so shadow and paint all thy vices and follies as thou shalt never, by their will, discern good from evil, or vice from virtue.
—Walter Raleigh (1552–1618) English Courtier, Navigator, Poet
The art of flatterers is to take advantage of the foibles of the great, to foster their errors, and never to give advice which may annoy.
—Moliere (1622–73) French Playwright
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
The most skilful flattery is to let a person talk on, and be a listener.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
There is scarcely any man, how much soever he may despise the character of a flatterer, but will condescend in the meanest manner to flatter himself.
—Henry Fielding (1707–54) English Novelist, Dramatist
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
Flatterers are the worst kind of enemies.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
Flattery is never so agreeable as to our blind side; commend a fool for his wit, or a knave for his honesty, and they will receive you into their bosoms.
—Henry Fielding (1707–54) English Novelist, Dramatist
The habitude of pleasing by flattery makes a language soft; the fear of offending by truth makes it circuitous and conventional
—Walter Savage Landor (1775–1864) English Writer, Poet
Flattery is all right so long as you don’t inhale.
—Adlai Stevenson (1900–65) American Diplomat, Politician, Orator
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
A flatterer is one who says things to your face that he wouldn’t say behind your back.
—Unknown
Flattery is a form of hatred.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Every flatterer lives at the expense of him who listens to him.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer