The politics of courtiers resemble their shadows; they…

In the humanist ideal, the mainstream is where interesting debate, the generating of new ideas and creativity take place. In rational society this mainstream…

— John Ralston Saul

Until the end of the Middle Ages, and in many cases afterwards too, in order to obtain initiation in a trade of any sort…

— Philippe Aries

It is depressing but not shocking to witness the liberal intelligentsia embrace Ari Shavit so enthusiastically. Shavit is someone who is as consistently wrong…

— Max Blumenthal

Art editors and critics - people like me - have become a courtier class.

— Dave Hickey

The success of great scholars and thinkers is commonly a courtier-like success, not kingly, not manly.

— Henry David Thoreau

These courtiers of applause deny themselves things convenient to flaunt it out; being frequently enough vain to immolate their own desires to their vanity.

— Robert Boyle

All live by seeming. The beggar begs with it, and the gay courtier Gains land and title, rank and rule, by seeming; The clergy…

— Walter Scott

The man who bows before the ruler, shows his behind to the courtiers

— Stanislaw Jerzy Lec

But I shall hear without pain, that I play the courtier very ill, and talk of that which I do not well understand.

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Washington has become our Versailles. We are ruled, entertained, and informed by courtiers -- and the media has evolved into a class of courtiers.…

— Chris Hedges

A rule that may serve for a statesman, a courtier, or a lovernever make a defence or an apology before you be accused.

— Charles I of England

The Westerly Wind asserting his sway from the south-west quarter is often like a monarch gone mad, driving forth with wild imprecations the most…

— Joseph Conrad

Oh how unhappy is the prince served by such men who are so easily corrupted.

— Francois Rabelais

The neo-conservatives, who are closely linked to the neo-corporatists, are rather different. They claim to be conservatives, when everything they stand for is a…

— John Ralston Saul

I find virtue to be found amongst the farmers of the country alone, not about courts, where courtiers dwell.

— Andrew Jackson