"Between flattery and admiration there often flows a river of contempt"

This quote by Minna Antrim speaks with the idea that there is frequently a thin line in between flattery and affection. Flattery is often seen as insincere and manipulative, while appreciation is viewed as real and sincere. The quote suggests that when somebody is attempting to flatter another individual, they may be doing so out of a sense of contempt. This contempt can be seen as a river that streams in between the 2, as it can be challenging to discriminate between flattery and affection. The quote is a tip to be mindful of the objectives behind our words and actions, and to be aware of the capacity for contempt to be concealed underneath the surface. It also functions as an alerting to be careful of those who may be trying to flatter us, as they might be doing so out of a sense of contempt.