--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nothing is so great an example of bad…" description: "\"Nothing is so great an example of bad manners as flattery. If you flatter all the company, you please none; If you flatter only one or two, you offend ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efd/jonathan-swift-433_bad-man_nothing-is-so-great-an-example-of-bad-ma_425709.jpg" --- # Nothing is so great an example of bad manners as flattery… ![“Nothing is so great an example of bad manners as flattery. If you flatter all the company, you please none; If you flatter only one or two, you offend the rest.” quote by Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efd/jonathan-swift-433_bad-man_nothing-is-so-great-an-example-of-bad-ma_425709.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efd/jonathan-swift-433_bad-man_nothing-is-so-great-an-example-of-bad-ma_425709.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efd/jonathan-swift-433_bad-man_nothing-is-so-great-an-example-of-bad-ma_425709.jpg) > “Nothing is so great an example of bad manners as flattery. If you flatter all the company, you please none; If you flatter only one or two, you offend the rest.” [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Flattery is ineffective because it either pleases no one or offends those left out, highlighting the futility of insincere praise. **In simple terms:** Flattery fails to please everyone. Key Takeaway Use sincere, specific praise. Themes etiquette communication honesty social dynamics Mood critical wry Type satirical philosophical When to use this quote - workplace feedback - political discourse - personal relationships - public speaking Key Concepts social psychology interpersonal relations Questions to Reflect On - When is flattery appropriate? - How can you give honest compliments without offending? A Different Perspective Sincere praise can still be misinterpreted. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad manners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-manners/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Flattery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flattery/) [Manners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manners/) ## Related quotes > [Nothing is so great an instance of ill-manners as flattery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/nothing-is-so-great-an-instance-of-ill-manners-as-flattery/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [The challenge of manners is not so much to be nice to someone whose favor and/or person you covet (although more people need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-martin/the-challenge-of-manners-is-not-so-much-to-be-nice-to-someone-whose/) [Judith Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-martin/) > [THE STREET RAISE ME BUT IN MY BAD MANNERS](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jah-reign/the-street-raise-me-but-in-my-bad-manners/) [Jah Reign](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jah-reign/) > [War is a form of really bad manners, in a strange way. 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