"Although a skillful flatterer is a most delightful companion if you have him all to yourself, his taste becomes very doubtful when he takes to complimenting other people"
- Charles Dickens
About this Quote
This quote by Charles Dickens is a cautioning about the dangers of flattery. He recommends that while it can be enjoyable to receive compliments from a proficient flatterer, it is very important to be wary of their compliments when they are directed towards other people. This is because the flatterer's taste can end up being questionable when they are attempting to please multiple individuals. It is most likely that the flatterer will be less sincere and more likely to overemphasize and even depend on order to please everybody. Therefore, it is essential to be knowledgeable about the flatterer's intents and to take their compliments with a grain of salt.