The reason that adulation is not displeasing is that, though untrue, it shows one to be of consequence enough, in one way or other, to induce people to lie. – Lord (George Gordon) Byron

He who says he hates every kind of flattery, and says it in earnest, certainly does not yet know every kind of flattery. – G. C. (Georg Christoph) Lichtenberg

Look closely at those who patronize you. Half are unfeeling, half untaught. – Johann von Goethe