"Nothing is so great an example of bad manners as flattery. If you flatter all the company, you please none; If you flatter only one or two, you offend the rest"

This quote by Jonathan Swift is a caution against the use of flattery. Flattery is a form of insincere praise that is often used to control or curry favor with someone. Swift is saying that if you flatter everyone in a group, no one will be pleased because it will be seen as insincere. On the other hand, if you flatter only one or more individuals, the remainder of the group will be angered since they will feel omitted. This quote is a pointer that flattery is a type of bad good manners and should be avoided. It is much better to be genuine and real in your interactions with others. Lionizing and generosity to everyone is a much better method to make a great impression.