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We sometimes imagine we hate flattery, but we only hate the way we are flattered.
We sometimes imagine we hate flattery, but we only hate the way we are flattered.
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 drink'st thou oft, instead of homage sweet,
But poisoned flattery?
What drink'st thou oft, instead of homage sweet,
But poisoned flattery?
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.
The skilful class of flatterers praise the discourse of an
ignorant friend and the face of a deformed one.
read more
The skilful class of flatterers praise the discourse of an
ignorant friend and the face of a deformed one.
[Lat., Adulandi gens prudentissima laudat
Sermonem indocti, faciem deformis amici.]
They do not abuse the king that flatter him.
For flattery is the bellows blows up sin;
read more
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.
Flattery is like cologne water, to be smelt of, not swallowed.
Flattery is like cologne water, to be smelt of, not swallowed.
It is better to fall among crows than flatterers; for those devour only the dead--these the living.
It is better to fall among crows than flatterers; for those devour only the dead--these the living.
Take no repulse, whatever she doth say;
For 'get you gone,' she doth not mean 'away.'
Flatter read more
Take no repulse, whatever she doth say;
For 'get you gone,' she doth not mean 'away.'
Flatter and praise, commend, extol their graces;
Though ne'er so black, say they have angels' faces.
That man that hath a tongue, I say is no man,
If with his tongue he cannot win a woman.
