“Flattery”

What flattery means? Actually flattery is exaggerated Praise of certain traits in a person. As every one wishes to be liked and praised by others. According to one point of view it is like a disease which can make one over-confident and one starts thinking himself the best.

“ Flattery is like a counterfeit coin: it may pass for a while but it will never hold a real value.”

Firstly, a person of cringing nature starts praising himself and he only gives importance to himself. On the other hand one indulges as in self love- and after words the flattery of others starts affecting him. Usually a person who flatters others grows popular among others. Why do one become a victim of flattery? I think when one wants to become like that which one actually is not and when one wants to see those qualities in oneself which he does not have in reality. In this way he gives himself to those people who try to make him realize that he is the embodiment of goodness. This thing can prove harmful in the sense that it takes one away from reality.

As Edmund Burke says that:

“Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver.”

We can also see this characteristic of flattery quite common in Asian poets. They often praised their beloved in such an exaggerated manner and raised her to such a high position that it does not seem to us praise but becomes imagination and makes his beloved an imaginary figure.

Flattery can also be seen as a form of emotional manipulation. The flatterer often has a hidden agenda — whether it is to win someone’s trust, gain a personal benefit, or climb the social or professional ladder. Unlike genuine appreciation, flattery is not based on truth but on exaggeration, and it may blur a person’s ability to judge their own strengths and weaknesses clearly. In this way, it weakens self-awareness and can lead to poor decision-making, both on the part of the flatterer and the one being flattered.

In political and leadership settings, the danger of flattery becomes even more severe. History shows us many examples of rulers and politicians who surrounded themselves with sycophants — people who only praised them, never criticized them. This lack of honest feedback led many leaders to make arrogant or destructive choices. When no one dares to speak the truth, and only flattery is heard, even intelligent individuals can become blind to their flaws and mistakes. This shows how flattery not only affects individuals but can damage entire societies.

On a social level, flattery may seem harmless or even polite, but it damages the sincerity of human relationships. Friendships based on false praise lack trust and depth. Real friendship means honesty, support, and the courage to tell the truth — even when it's uncomfortable. But when flattery replaces honesty, relationships become shallow and transactional. People may enjoy being flattered in the moment, but over time, it leaves them empty, as they begin to doubt whether anyone truly knows or values their real self.

Different kinds of people are being flattered differently. For instance, usually a principal of an institution is flattered by his sub-ordinates. A person of cringing nature usually gets an advantage from others through this quality. We should keep in mind that flattery can destroy us. A person who is flattered can never be able to know his worth. He starts living in illusions. When he comes across the bitter reality then it shatters him so we should develop the habit of praising others instead of flattering others. As “ Jean Poul Richter ” says that:

“ It is easy to flatter; it is harder to praise ”