When they are addressed in language expressly adapted to flatter their vanity, they look upon such empty persiflage as a testimony to the truth of their own praises.
Cicero: “When they are addressed in language expressly adapted to flatter their vanity, they look upon such empty persiflage as a…”
Editor's note · Context
Elaborating on the mechanics of flattery, Cicero explains that vain individuals interpret insincere compliments as confirmation of their self-perceived merits.
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For we are all attracted and drawn to a zeal for learning and knowing; and we think it glorious to excel therein, while we count it base and immoral to fall into error, to wander from the truth, to be ignorant, to be led astray.
Such acts of generosity are not to be so highly esteemed as those which are performed with judgment, deliberation, and mature consideration.
Besides, he will not expose anyone to hatred or disrepute by groundless charges, but he will surely cleave to justice and honour so closely that he will submit to any loss, however heavy, rather than be untrue to them, and will face death…
For they secure one sort of justice, to be sure, in that they do no positive wrong to anyone, but they fall into the opposite injustice; for hampered by their pursuit of learning they leave to their fate those whom they ought to defend.





