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Flattery

Flattery

Do you agree with the following quote?

"He who knows how to flatter also knows how to slander."
-- Napoleon Bonaparte

Flattery

This statement is very true. People who go out of their way to flatter you will almost certainly turn around and stab you in the back, talking bad about you, when your not around. Flatterers and slanderers are not people of integrity and say anything to get in good with people and get the dirt on people. It is best to keep people like this at a cautious arms distance away. They are the time type that can ruin your reputation right under your nose.

Flattery Health & Special Psychology

Konquererz is right! People who flatter are no different from those who will slander
you. Individuals who choose to flatter others use it as a way of assessing another person's strengths and weaknesses. Once they notice how easily their "victim" accepts their "insincere words" then, ideas enter their minds on how to manipulate the situation to their advantage. In other words, people who flatter, usually have a "hidden agenda" in mind and not the other person's welfare.

Edited: Geenie on 19th Mar, 2007 - 7:19pm

Flattery

By definition, flattery (as opposed to compliments) is excessive or insincere, so I would not think it a favorable thing. However, I am fairly certain that all people know how to slander (which would mean that Monsieur Buonaparte didn't actually say anything; it could, however, be interpreted as a nod to stoicism,) but for the sake of the argument I will assume that he meant that they have the will to do so; in that case, I see no actual connection. To me, they seem at least partially exclusive. Flattery implies that one wants someone's approval, or one wants them to feel good, and slander is not productive in either case. Perhaps one so free with words might be more likely to slander someone else, and in that sense, it is not a favorable trait at all.

I would accept the connection that many people who are prone to flattery are also prone to slander, but claiming anything more than a correlation isn't being fair to the individual or circumstances. At best, I would call this a hasty generalization.

Flattery

I agree with the quote and will add that one way you can know if flattery is simply empty words... check the answers to the following questions:

1. Does the person really know you or have you just met?
2. Does the person compliment often or rarely?
3. Does the person usually expect something from you after their flattery?

It is easy to speak badly of someone with whom you do not have intimate concern, that is why so many can attack celebrities.