Jean de La Fontaine
Poet, Fabulist
"Every flatterer lives at the expense of him who listens to him."
Flattery quotes
Flattery
217 quotes on this topic — from poets, philosophers, and thinkers across history.
Benjamin Franklin
Inventor, Statesman, Author
"Praise to the undeserving is severe satire."
Niccolo Machiavelli
Political Philosopher, Historian
"There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you."
Georgia O'Keeffe
Artist
"I have already settled it for myself so flattery and criticism go down the same drain and I am quite free."
William Shakespeare
Playwright, Poet
"He that loves to be flattered is worthy o' the flatterer."
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Browse quotes that often appear alongside flattery — connected by shared ideas and recurring themes.
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Flattery quotes (page 1 of 11)
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"Look closely at those who patronize you. Half are unfeeling, half untaught."
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"Sarcasm is the lowest form of humor but the highest form of flattery."
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"Imitation is not just the sincerest form of flattery - it's the sincerest form of learning."
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"Flattery is telling the other person precisely what he thinks about himself."
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"A flatterer never seems absurd: The flatter'd always takes his word."
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"Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver; and adulation is not of more service to the people than to kings."
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"If we did not flatter ourselves, the flattery of others could never harm us."
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"Flee flattery, false praise and fair weather friends"
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"Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver."
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"Though flattery blossoms like friendship, yet there is a vast difference in the fruit."
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"Gallantry of mind consists in saying flattering things in an agreeable manner."
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"He does me double wrong That wounds me with the flatteries of his tongue."
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"When we are not engaged in thinking about some definite problem, we usually spend about 95 percent of our time thinking about ourselves. Now, if we stop thinking about ourselves for a while and begin to think of the other person's good points, we won't have to resort to flattery so cheap and false that it can be spotted almost before it is out of the mouth."
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"Flattery is like a painted armor; only for show."
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"Flattery will get you everywhere."
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"Do not offer a compliment and ask a favor at the same time. A compliment that is charged for is not valuable."
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"What drink'st thou oft, instead of homage sweet, But poisoned flattery?"
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"O Beauty, find thyself in love, not in the flattery of thy mirror."
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"You can stroke people with words."
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"In the best, the friendliest and simplest relations flattery or praise is necessary, just as grease is necessary to keep wheels turning."
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