We should keep silent about those in power to speak well of them almost implies flattery to speak ill of them while they are alive is dangerous and when they are dead is cowardly.
In politics yesterday's lie is attacked only to flatter today's.
He who knows how to flatter also knows how to slander.
All the president is is a glorified public relations man who spends his time flattering kissing and kicking people to get them to do what they are supposed to do anyway.
Poetry and consumption are the most flattering of diseases.
Even though now I'm pretty popular in my country and tennis is the No. 1 sport and I'm very flattered that the people recognise me and come up and give me compliments I'm more a person who likes to have privacy and peace.
To believe that patriotism will not flourish if patriotic ceremonies are voluntary... is to make an unflattering estimate of the appeal of our institutions to free minds.
Nevertheless the passions whether violent or not should never be so expressed as to reach the point of causing disgust and music even in situations of the greatest horror should never be painful to the ear but should flatter and charm it and thereby always remain music.
Flattery is a kind of bad money to which our vanity gives us currency.
Flatter me and I may not believe you. Criticize me and I may not like you. Ignore me and I may not forgive you. Encourage me and I will not forget you. Love me and I may be forced to love you.