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He that loves to be flattered is worthy o' the flatterer.
William Shakespeare
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Those who seek compliments often deserve the insincerity of those who flatter them.

This quote by William Shakespeare suggests that individuals who enjoy and seek out flattery may not be as virtuous as they appear. It implies a reciprocal relationship between those who flatter and those who desire to be flattered, hinting at the idea that a person’s character can be revealed by their willingness to accept superficial praise.

Themes

FlatteryLovePraiseCharacterInsincerity

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about self-esteem, you might use this quote to highlight the dangers of seeking validation from others.

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