All flatterers are mercenary, and all low-minded men are flatterers.
A flatterer is the shadow of a fool.
Flatterers are the worst kind of enemies. [Lat., Pessimum genus inimicorum laudantes.]
Flattery is a counterfeit money which, but for vanity, would have no circulation.
None can be pleased without praise, and few can be praised without falsehood.
Now flattery can never do good; twice cursed in the giving and the receiving, it ought to be.
False glory is the rock of vanity; it seduces men to affect esteem by things which they indeed possess, but which are frivolous, and which for a man to value himself on would be a scandalous error.
He that applauds him who does not deserve praise, is endeavoring to deceive the public; he that hisses in malice or sport, is an oppressor and a robber.
I am surrounded by flatterers and fools.
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.
