William Feather Quotes

Flattery is telling the other person precisely what he thinks about himself.

Compliments and flattery oftenest excite my contempt by the pretension they imply; for who is he that assumes to flatter me? To compliment often implies an assumption of superiority in the complimenter. It is, in fact, a subtle detraction.

Many know how to flatter, few know how to praise.

Flattery is all right so long as you don't inhale.

Men sometimes think they hate flattery, but they hate only the manner of flattering.

Flattery is praise insincerely given for an interested purpose.

Flattery, if judiciously administered, is always acceptable.

It is easier and handier for men to flatter than to praise.

Said I was beautiful, did he? He's being paid for treatment, not flattery.

False praise is worse than no praise.

Praise undeserved, is satire in disguise.

Although a skillful flatterer is a most delightful companion if you have him all to yourself, his taste becomes very doubtful when he takes to complimenting other people.

It is simpler and easier to flatter people than to praise them.

I cannot think of any character below the flatterer, except he who envies him.

Commend a fool for his wit, or a rogue for his honesty and he will receive you into his favor.

I much prefer a compliment, even if insincere, to sincere criticism.

Flattery is like cologne water, to be smelt, not swallowed.

You know when someone's over-flattering you in a way. You smile but you can't believe it.

I'm sick of it when people start to say it: 'Aren't you amazing?' If they start to say it, I hit them.

Learn that every flatterer Lives at the flattered listeners cost.

I know of no manner of speaking so offensive as that of giving praise, and closing it with an exception.

Nothing in this world is harder than speaking the truth, nothing easier than flattery.

I do love compliments, yet I'm often embarrassed to say what I think to the person when I get a compliment. I so often feel that they have not gone far enough.

We must be careful how we flatter fools too little, or wise men too much, for the flatterer must act the very reverse of the physician, and administer the strongest dose only to the weakest patient.

He who sports compliments, unless he takes good aim, may miss his mark, and be wounded by the recoil of his own weapon.