QuoteProject
Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver.
Edmund Burke
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Flattery leads to dishonesty and moral decay in both those who give it and those who receive it.

This quote by Edmund Burke highlights the moral implications of flattery, suggesting that it is a deceptive form of praise that can corrupt the integrity of both the person giving the flattery and the one receiving it. When people engage in flattery, they undermine genuine interactions and may foster an environment where truth becomes obscured by insincere compliments, consequently degrading relationships and personal values.

Themes

FlatteryCorruptionHonestyIntegrityRelationships

In practice

Example use cases

During a team meeting, you might share this quote to remind colleagues about the value of honest feedback.

More from Edmund Burke

A great empire and little minds go ill together.
Edmund BurkeRead
To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.
Edmund BurkeRead
The hottest fires in hell are reserved for those who remain neutral in times of moral crisis.
Edmund BurkeRead
Society can overlook murder, adultery or swindling; it never forgives preaching of a new gospel.
Edmund BurkeRead
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
Edmund BurkeRead
Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites.
Edmund BurkeRead

Similar quotes

I really wish I was less of a thinking man and more of a fool not afraid of rejection.
Billy JoelRead
We're supposed to show people how the world is, to give them the tools they need to make good decisions as citizens or consumers. Depending on what your values are - the environment, your health, animal welfare - the answers are going to be different for every person.
Michael PollanRead
Bien predica quien bien vive. _x000D_ He preaches well who lives well.
Miguel De CervantesRead
Even in the lust of knowledge I feel only my will's delight in begetting and becoming; and if there be innocence in my knowledge it is because my procreative will is in it.
Friedrich NietzscheRead
So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak. Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.
Sun TzuRead
The next time you find yourself alone in a dark alley facing the undeniables of life, don't cover them with a blanket, or ignore them with a nervous grin. Don't turn up the TV and pretend they aren't there. Instead, stand still, whisper his name, and listen. He is nearer than you think.
Max LucadoRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.