"If we did not flatter ourselves, the flattery of others could never harm us"

This quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld recommends that if we do not have an inflated sense of our own worth, then the compliments of others will not have the ability to affect us. He is recommending that if we are not excessively confident in ourselves, then the praise of others will not be able to sway us. He is implying that if we are simple and do not believe too extremely of ourselves, then the compliments of others will not have the ability to make us think more highly of ourselves. He is likewise suggesting that if we are not too happy with ourselves, then the criticism of others will not have the ability to bring us down. He is saying that if we are not too confident in ourselves, then the viewpoints of others will not be able to impact us. In essence, he is stating that if we do not flatter ourselves, then the flattery of others will not be able to hurt us.