"Knavery and flattery are blood relations"

This quote by Abraham Lincoln is a caution against the risks of being deceived by those who look for to control us. It suggests that knavery and flattery are closely related, and that those who use flattery to acquire our trust might be doing so with ulterior intentions. Lincoln is cautioning us to be wary of those who utilize flattery to gain our trust, as they may be using it to control us for their own gain. He is likewise recommending that those who use flattery may be deceitful and unreliable. By cautioning us of the dangers of being tricked by those who utilize flattery, Lincoln is encouraging us to be more critical and to be aware of the potential for control. He is also advising us to be mindful of our own actions and to be cautious of those who might be attempting to make the most of us.