Perhaps there is an idea among Japanese students that one general difference between Japanese and Western poetry is that the former cultivates short forms and the latter longer ones gut this is only in part true.

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.

Do not trust all men but trust men of worth the former course is silly the latter a mark of prudence.

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.

He surprised me by his familiarity with details of movements and battles which I did not suppose had come to his knowledge. As he kept me talking for over half an hour I flattered myself that what I had to say interested him.

I agree completely with my son James when he says 'Internet is like electricity. The latter lights up everything while the former lights up knowledge'.