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

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

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

— Andrew Jackson

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

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

Loyalty in time of need is possibly one of the noblest of victories a courtier can win over himself.

— Honore de Balzac