False praise is worse than no praise.
flattery would be worse than vain; there is no consolation in flattery.
Flattery of the verbal kind is gross. In short, applause is of too coarse a nature to be swallowed in the gross, though the extract or tincture be ever so agreeable.
What honour that, But tedious waste of time, to sit and hear So many hollow compliments and lies.
And to the English court assemble now, From every region, apes of idleness!
Oh, how empty is praise when it reflects back to its origin!
Taffeta phrases, silken terms precise, Three-piled hyperboles, spruce affection, Figures pedantical--these summer flies Have blown me full of maggot ostentation.
Perfumed and gallant words make our ears belch.
