William Shakespeare Quotes

It is better to fall among crows than flatterers; for those devour only the dead - these the living.

Knavery and flattery are blood relations.

Many kiss the hand they wish cut off.

FLATTERY is nothing, but false friendship, fawning hypocrisy, dishonest civility, base merchandise of words…

The fawning courtier and the surly squire often mean the same thing,--each his own interest.

There are many foolish people in the world and when a man in a rather high position puts on no frills, slaps them on the back, and tells them he'll do anything in the world for them, they are very likely to think him clever.

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

One may define flattery as a base companionship which is most advantageous to the flatterer.

The world of this is a load of crap. You get all these bloody people, so incredibly sycophantic.

All flatterers live at the expense of those who listen to them.

You can pander, but you've got to do it in a way that doesn't seem like pandering.

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

People generally despise where they flatter, and cringe to those they would gladly overtop; so that truth and ceremony are two things.

Keep thy smooth words and juggling homilies for those who know thee not.

It is undoubtedly true that some people mistake sycophancy for good nature, but it is equally true that many more mistake impertinence for sincerity.

I can't sing and I can't dance, but I can lick any S.O.B. in the house.

Flattery labors under the odious charge of servility.

We should always speak what would please the man of whom we expect a favour,like the hunter who sings sweetly when he desires to shoot a deer.

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.

He who knows how to flatter also knows how to slander.

There have been many great men that have flattered the people who ne'er loved them.

Everyone always tells you that you're the only one that can do this or that role right, and if you say no, they go to somebody else and tell them that they're the only one that can do it right. But when they're talking to you, you're always the 'Best Actor of Your Generation.'

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