Elizabeth Gilbert Quotes

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

Praise undeserved, is satire in disguise.

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 get a lot of people coming up to me and saying, 'I really hate you.' And they say it in the nicest possible way, and I accept it. It's the people who come up to you and say, 'I really liked your character. Man, he was right!' Those are the ones you worry about.

To be flattered is grateful, even when we know that our praises are not believed by those who pronounce them; for they prove, at least, our power, and show that our favour is valued, since it is purchased by the meanness of falsehood.

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

How clever you are, my dear! You never mean a single word you say.

Irony is the recourse of the weak-minded wimp, I think. I hate bands that deliver their songs with knowing smiles on their faces, so that if those songs fall flat they can say 'Ah well, we never really meant it anyway.' It's so dishonest.

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.

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

Certainly, it seems true enough that there's a good deal of irony in the world... I mean, if you live in a world full of politicians and advertising, there's obviously a lot of deception.

Nothing says, 'I pay attention to detail!' like footwear flattery from a boy.

Knavery and flattery are blood relations.

Since we have to speak well of the dead, let's knock them while they're alive.

I love criticism just so long as it's unqualified praise.

Saying what you believe others want to hear is, of course, a form of lying.

He that loves to be flattered is worthy o' the flatterer.

The right honorable gentlemen is indebted to his memory for his jests, and to his imagination for his facts.

I call people 'captain' a lot and it makes them feel special. Until they hear me using it for everyone, that is.

Truth is seldom appreciated and never understood, whereas a flattering lie is always appreciated and instantly understood.

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

It never hurts to apologize, especially if you don't mean it.

The other day John McCain appeared on the show 'The View,' and one of the hosts accused McCain of being a liar. Yeah, she may have a point, because McCain started the interview by saying, 'Ladies, you look beautiful.'

Praise to the undeserving is severe satire.