After this manner conceive that a flatterer differs from a friend: for it often happens to both that they engage in the same employments and the same associations; but the one differs from the other in use, in the end, and in the disposition of the soul: for the friend considers that which appears to him to be good to belong also in common to his friend; and, whether this proves to be painful or pleasant, he partakes equally of it with him; but the flatterer, following his own desires, conducts the association to his own advantage. The friend desires an equality of good, the flatterer his own private good. The one aspires after equal honour in virtue, the other after superiority in pleasure. The one in conversation desires an equal freedom of speech, the other servile submission. The one loves truth in association, the other deception; and the one looks to future emolument, but the other to present delight. The one requires to be reminded of his good actions, the other wishes them to be involved in oblivion. The one takes care of the possessions of his friend, as of things common, the other destroys them, as being the property of another. The company of a friend in prosperity is most opportune, and in calamity is most equal; but a flatterer can never be satiated with prosperity, and in adversity he is never to be seen. Friendship is laudable, flattery detestable; for friendship attends to equality of retribution, but this flattery mutilates: for he who pays servile attention to another through indigence, that his wants may be supplied, so far as he does not receive an equal submission in return, will reprobate the inequality. A friend, when his friendship is concealed, is unhappy; on the contrary, a flatterer is miserable when is flattery is not concealed. Friendship when tried is strengthened, flattery is confuted, by time. Friendship requires not to be corroborated by advantage, but flattery cannot subsist without profit; and if men have any communion with the divinities, the pious man is a friend to divinity, but the superstitious is a flatterer of divinity; and the pious man is blessed, but the superstitious is miserable. Maximus Tyrius
About This Quote

Many people are quick to call someone a "flatterer" whenever they do something that someone else finds stupid, annoying, or obnoxious. That's the wrong way to look at it. The right way is this: anytime you praise someone too much or find something good in their character, you're being a flatterer. If you don't know what those words mean, then here's a simple analogy: imagine that you're at a funeral parlor and the deceased has been laid out on a casket, with flowers and everything.

The people there want to make sure that everyone who comes by sees how lovely the deceased was, so they're constantly going around saying things about how handsome or attractive or rich or smart or brave or charming the dead person was. That's flattery. There's nothing wrong with flattery as long as it's honest and sincere.

But if you go up to a friend and say something like "I think your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/parent/child/pet is really hot," that's not flattery. You just think he/she is hot. That's not cool.

Source: The Dissertations Of Maximus Tyrius, Volume 1

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