{
  "type": "topic",
  "site": {
    "name": "Leafy Quotes",
    "language": "en",
    "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com"
  },
  "formats": "Every page has two versions with the same data: JSON (the page address + .json) and markdown (the page address + .md). Append .json or .md to any `url` in this document.",
  "name": "flattery",
  "slug": "flattery",
  "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery",
  "heading": "Quotes about flattery",
  "json": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery.json",
  "markdown": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery.md",
  "quotes_count": 18,
  "authors_count": 15,
  "parent": {
    "name": "relationships",
    "slug": "relationships",
    "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/relationships",
    "heading": "Quotes about relationships"
  },
  "children": [],
  "quotes": [
    {
      "id": "3b1d839c-a6b4-4ca6-a9ea-7f28b1bad028",
      "slug": "be-advised-that",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables/be-advised-that",
      "text": "Be advised that all flatterers live at the expense of those who listen to them.",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "Jean de La Fontaine",
        "slug": "jean-de-la-fontaine",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "Fables",
        "slug": "fables",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-de-la-fontaine/fables"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": null,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jean_de_La_Fontaine#Book_I",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-26T08:10:00"
    },
    {
      "id": "8028af7b-fdfd-48d7-a940-52eeb907b4cb",
      "slug": "a-compliment-is-something",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo/les-miserables/a-compliment-is-something",
      "text": "A compliment is something like a kiss through a veil.",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "Victor Hugo",
        "slug": "victor-hugo",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "Les Miserables",
        "slug": "les-miserables",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo/les-miserables"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": null,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Les_Mis%C3%A9rables#Book_VIII_-_Enchantments_and_Desolations",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-26T08:09:49"
    },
    {
      "id": "f2b57c42-2f4d-4ceb-aa14-24a5fda6ee3d",
      "slug": "but-i-discern",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-eclogues/but-i-discern",
      "text": "But I discern their flattery from their praise.",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "Virgil",
        "slug": "virgil",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "The Eclogues",
        "slug": "the-eclogues",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-eclogues"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": null,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Eclogues",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-26T07:49:24"
    },
    {
      "id": "ff88d618-0c1b-4267-b4be-6a8001eae0b7",
      "slug": "when-you-have",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope/phineas-redux/when-you-have",
      "text": "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.",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "Anthony Trollope",
        "slug": "anthony-trollope",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "Phineas Redux",
        "slug": "phineas-redux",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope/phineas-redux"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": null,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Phineas_Redux#Quotes",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-25T23:01:48"
    },
    {
      "id": "a201daca-18bf-4635-992f-388a71aac22a",
      "slug": "courtiers-are-not",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/a-childs-history-of-england/courtiers-are-not",
      "text": "Courtiers are not only eager to laugh when the King laughs, but they really do enjoy a laugh against a Favourite.",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "Charles Dickens",
        "slug": "charles-dickens",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "A Child's History of England",
        "slug": "a-childs-history-of-england",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/a-childs-history-of-england"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": null,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "power",
          "slug": "power",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power"
        },
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/A_Child's_History_of_England#Quotes",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-25T22:55:53"
    },
    {
      "id": "027e91d0-6738-411c-b479-2ec9107af6e8",
      "slug": "agree-yes-maam",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/jasper-fforde/early-riser/agree-yes-maam",
      "text": "“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.”",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "Jasper Fforde",
        "slug": "jasper-fforde",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/jasper-fforde"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "Early Riser",
        "slug": "early-riser",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/jasper-fforde/early-riser"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": 216,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "humor",
          "slug": "humor",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor"
        },
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jasper_Fforde#Early_Riser_(2018)",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-25T22:54:02"
    },
    {
      "id": "909cd1dc-4814-4b9d-a72a-90c2549c43ac",
      "slug": "although-a-skilful",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/nicholas-nickleby/although-a-skilful",
      "text": "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.",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "Charles Dickens",
        "slug": "charles-dickens",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "Nicholas Nickleby",
        "slug": "nicholas-nickleby",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/nicholas-nickleby"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": null,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Nicholas_Nickleby#Quotes",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-25T22:53:43"
    },
    {
      "id": "7cfe8f33-704a-44f7-b400-105b0fa1be7d",
      "slug": "quettil-it-doesnt",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/inversions/quettil-it-doesnt",
      "text": "“Quettil, it doesn’t matter,” the King said airily, waving one hand. “I prefer accuracy to flattery.”",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "Iain M. Banks",
        "slug": "iain-m-banks",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "Inversions",
        "slug": "inversions",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/inversions"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": 158,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "truth",
          "slug": "truth",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/truth"
        },
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Iain_Banks#Inversions_(1998)",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-25T22:53:18"
    },
    {
      "id": "28e1bb4f-9a48-4d24-8018-ab642f88fe4f",
      "slug": "hes-had-less",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/agent-of-byzantium/hes-had-less",
      "text": "He’s had less use for me outside the bedchamber since I stopped telling him things he wanted to hear.",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "Harry Turtledove",
        "slug": "harry-turtledove",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "Agent of Byzantium",
        "slug": "agent-of-byzantium",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/agent-of-byzantium"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": 297,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "truth",
          "slug": "truth",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/truth"
        },
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Harry_Turtledove#Agent_of_Byzantium_(1987)",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-25T22:51:46"
    },
    {
      "id": "f2b471a1-3211-44fa-9c65-fb8eb6f0750d",
      "slug": "it-was-a-maxim",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/the-old-curiosity-shop/it-was-a-maxim",
      "text": "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.",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "Charles Dickens",
        "slug": "charles-dickens",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "The Old Curiosity Shop",
        "slug": "the-old-curiosity-shop",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/the-old-curiosity-shop"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": null,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "lawyers",
          "slug": "lawyers",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/lawyers"
        },
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Charles_Dickens#The_Old_Curiosity_Shop_(1841)",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-25T22:51:40"
    },
    {
      "id": "4acd03b5-0271-4ea8-af06-b93b6d5f9b35",
      "slug": "eugenie-thought-of-this",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/grass/eugenie-thought-of-this",
      "text": "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.",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "Sheri S. Tepper",
        "slug": "sheri-s-tepper",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "Grass",
        "slug": "grass",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/grass"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": 120,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "women",
          "slug": "women",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/women"
        },
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Sheri_S._Tepper#Grass_(1989)",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-25T22:51:21"
    },
    {
      "id": "e99b73c9-9fdf-461f-ad98-18d545094051",
      "slug": "the-eulogies-of-my-intelligence",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/simone-weil/simone-weil-an-anthology/the-eulogies-of-my-intelligence",
      "text": "The eulogies of my intelligence are positively intended to evade the question \"Is what she says true?\"",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "Simone Weil",
        "slug": "simone-weil",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/simone-weil"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "Simone Weil: An Anthology",
        "slug": "simone-weil-an-anthology",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/simone-weil/simone-weil-an-anthology"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": 2,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "truth",
          "slug": "truth",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/truth"
        },
        {
          "name": "intelligence",
          "slug": "intelligence",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/intelligence"
        },
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Simone_Weil#Simone_Weil_:_An_Anthology_(1986)",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-25T22:51:13"
    },
    {
      "id": "5998eb06-cb44-46c2-89e6-f56137a91f2c",
      "slug": "grant-me-prudently",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-kempis/the-imitation-of-christ/grant-me-prudently",
      "text": "Grant me prudently to avoid the flatterer, and patiently to bear with him that opposeth me;",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "Thomas Kempis",
        "slug": "thomas-kempis",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-kempis"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "The Imitation of Christ",
        "slug": "the-imitation-of-christ",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-kempis/the-imitation-of-christ"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": null,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Thomas_%C3%A0_Kempis#The_Imitation_of_Christ_(c._1418)",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-25T22:50:27"
    },
    {
      "id": "e5517e8c-8812-40ba-9238-2499126c15bf",
      "slug": "we-are-delighted",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/adam-smith/the-theory-of-moral-sentiments/we-are-delighted",
      "text": "We are delighted to find a person who values us as we value ourselves, and distinguishes us from the rest of mankind, with an attention not unlike that with which we distinguish ourselves.",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "Adam Smith",
        "slug": "adam-smith",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/adam-smith"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "The Theory of Moral Sentiments",
        "slug": "the-theory-of-moral-sentiments",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/adam-smith/the-theory-of-moral-sentiments"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": null,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "self-esteem",
          "slug": "self-esteem",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/self-esteem"
        },
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Adam_Smith#Part_II",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-25T22:44:43"
    },
    {
      "id": "334f43c4-f724-4f6f-995b-2e5840a0826e",
      "slug": "i-know-flattery",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-deptford-trilogy/i-know-flattery",
      "text": "I know flattery when I hear it; but I do not often hear it.",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "Robertson Davies",
        "slug": "robertson-davies",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "The Deptford Trilogy",
        "slug": "the-deptford-trilogy",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-deptford-trilogy"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": null,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "humor",
          "slug": "humor",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor"
        },
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Deptford_Trilogy#(1970)",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-25T22:44:13"
    },
    {
      "id": "0ccb6b49-9500-43be-aa11-c3bfae5c14dd",
      "slug": "nothing-in-the",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/crime-and-punishment/nothing-in-the",
      "text": "Nothing in the world is harder than speaking the truth and nothing easier than flattery. If there’s the hundredth part of a false note in speaking the truth, it leads to a discord, and that leads to trouble. But if all, to the last note, is false in flattery, it is just as agreeable, and is heard not without satisfaction. It may be a coarse satisfaction, but still a satisfaction. And however coarse the flattery, at least half will be sure to seem true. That’s so for all stages of development and classes of society.",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "Fyodor Dostoyevsky",
        "slug": "fyodor-dostoyevsky",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "Crime And Punishment",
        "slug": "crime-and-punishment",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/crime-and-punishment"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": null,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "truth",
          "slug": "truth",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/truth"
        },
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Fyodor_Dostoyevsky#Crime_and_Punishment_(1866)",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-25T22:40:22"
    },
    {
      "id": "244fdf04-84ba-4d6f-bd4a-1ea7faa8fa67",
      "slug": "it-is-salutary",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-summing-up/it-is-salutary",
      "text": "It is salutary to train oneself to be no more affected by censure than by praise...",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "William Somerset Maugham",
        "slug": "william-somerset-maugham",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "The Summing Up",
        "slug": "the-summing-up",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-summing-up"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": 223,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "criticism",
          "slug": "criticism",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism"
        },
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/W._Somerset_Maugham#The_Summing_Up_(1938)",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-25T22:39:28"
    },
    {
      "id": "2726af63-d23d-44dd-a4a4-78edabef5390",
      "slug": "people-ask-you",
      "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/of-human-bondage/people-ask-you",
      "text": "People ask you for criticism, but they only want praise.",
      "language": "en",
      "author": {
        "name": "William Somerset Maugham",
        "slug": "william-somerset-maugham",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham"
      },
      "book": {
        "title": "Of Human Bondage",
        "slug": "of-human-bondage",
        "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/of-human-bondage"
      },
      "character": null,
      "chapter": null,
      "chapter_parent": null,
      "page": null,
      "verified": false,
      "original": null,
      "other_languages": [],
      "topics": [
        {
          "name": "criticism",
          "slug": "criticism",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism"
        },
        {
          "name": "flattery",
          "slug": "flattery",
          "url": "https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery"
        }
      ],
      "source": {
        "name": "Wikiquote",
        "url": "https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/W._Somerset_Maugham#Of_Human_Bondage_(1915)",
        "license": {
          "label": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
          "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"
        }
      },
      "added_at": "2026-09-25T22:39:26"
    }
  ]
}
