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The flatterer is the sort of individual who says as be is walking along with you, 'Oh, do you see how all men are looking at you? This never happens to anyone in town except you. You Had a compliment paid you yesterday in the Stoa.1 There were more than thirty people there and a discussion arose as to who is our noblest citizen. They mentioned you first, all of them, and at the end each must needs return to you.' These are the sort of things he says as he removes flocks from your tunic, or if a straw is blown by the wind into your hair he picks it off saying with a smile, 'You see? just because I have not met you for two days your heard is whitening, although if any one has black hair for his time of life you certainly have.' Should you be saying anything he commands everyone else to be silent, praises you-taking care you hear it all, of course - and adds a mark of approbation when you stop,' Well said.' If you make a stale jest, he will roar with laughter, thrusting his tunic into his mouth as if he could not contain his mirth. He orders those you meet to 'Make way till my Lord passes.' He buys apples and pears to bring home to your children - carefully giving them in your presence - and kisses them, crying, 'Dear chicks of a noble father.' If you take him with you to buy shoes, he declares your foot is more elegant than the shoe. When you go to see one of your friends he runs ahead and says 'He is coming to see you,' and then running back again tells he has announced your coming. Of course he can do all your shopping in the Ladies' bazaar without drawing breath. He is the first of your guests to praise your wine, and if he is next to you he says 'How delicate are your dishes!' and taking up some thing from the table exclaims 'How good this is I' He delights to be asking you if you are cold and if you wish to put on something warm. Before the words are out of your mouth he will have you wrapped up. He bends over to your ear and whispers to you, and though he talks to the others his eyes are always on you. At the theatre he takes the cushion from the attendant and places it himself. He is always declaring how finely your house is built, and how beautifully your gardens are laid out, and what a good likeness your portrait is. In a word the Flatterer can be seen saying and doing everything by which he thinks he will bevin favour. 1 A piazza or promenade in Athens near the marketplace.
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ONE may define flattery as
a base companionship which is most advantageous to the flatterer.
