be a cunning flatterer, he will follow the arch-flatterer, which is a man's self; and wherein a man thinketh best of himself, therein the flatterer will uphold him most: but if he be an imprudent flatterer, look wherein a man is conscious to himself that he is most defective, and is most out of countenance in himself, that will the flatterer entitle him to perforce, spretâ conscientiâ.[1] Some praises come of good wishes and respects, which is a form due in civility to kings and great persons, laudando præcipere,[2] when by telling men what they are, they represent to them what they should be. Some men are praised maliciously to their hurt, thereby to stir envy and jealousy towards them; pessimum genus inimicorum laudantium;[3] insomuch as it was a proverb amongst the Grecians, that he that was praised to his hurt, should have a push[4] rise upon his nose; as we say, that a blister will rise upon one's tongue that tells a lie. Certainly moderate praise, used with opportunity, and not vulgar, is that which doth the good. Salomon saith, He that praiseth his friend aloud, rising early, it shall be to him no better than a curse.[5] Too much magnifying of man or matter doth irritate contradiction, and procure envy and scorn. To praise a man's self cannot be decent, except it be in rare cases; but to praise a
- ↑ Conscience being despised.
- ↑ To instruct by praising.
- ↑ 'Flatterers are the worst kind of enemies. "Causa periculi non crimen ullum, aut querela laesi cujusquam, sed infensus virtutibus Princeps, et gloria viri, ac pessimum inimicorum genus, laudantes." Cornelii Taciti Vita Agricolae. Caput 41.
- ↑ Push. Pimple.
- ↑ "He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him." Proverbs xxvii. 14.
