Quotes about flattery

Be advised that all flatterers live at the expense of those who listen to them.

A compliment is something like a kiss through a veil.

But I discern their flattery from their praise.

When you have done the rashest thing in the world it is very pleasant to be told that no man of spirit could have acted otherwise.

Courtiers are not only eager to laugh when the King laughs, but they really do enjoy a laugh against a Favourite.

“Agree?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I don’t like subordinates always agreeing,” she said. “Sycophants have no place in my department. You’re to speak your mind when the opportunity calls for it.”

“How will I know when that is?”

“I shall inform you.”

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.

“Quettil, it doesn’t matter,” the King said airily, waving one hand. “I prefer accuracy to flattery.”

He’s had less use for me outside the bedchamber since I stopped telling him things he wanted to hear.

It was a maxim with Mr. Brass that the habit of paying compliments kept a man’s tongue oiled without any expense; and that, as that useful member ought never to grow rusty or creak in turning on its hinges in the case of a practitioner of the law, in whom it should be always glib and easy, he lost few opportunities of improving himself by the utterance of handsome speeches and eulogistic expressions.

Eugenie thought of this often. Men had told her many sweet things about herself, but never before that she was important. It was the nicest compliment she had ever received.

The eulogies of my intelligence are positively intended to evade the question "Is what she says true?"