Ears Quote by Walter Scott
“Never was flattery lost on a poet's ear; a simple race, they waste their toil for the vain tribute of a smile.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Flattery of Poets", 1810
The poet observes that flattery is futile; people waste effort chasing superficial praise, which is as fleeting as a smile.
In simple terms: Flattery is empty and wastes effort.
Key Takeaway
Seek genuine respect over hollow compliments.
Themes
pride
artistry
vanity
effort
recognition
Mood
cynical
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative pursuits
- public performances
- social media interactions
- career advancement
Key Concepts
poetry
social dynamics
self‑esteem
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we chase superficial approval?
- What values replace the need for empty praise?
A Different Perspective
Flattery can sometimes be socially useful despite its emptiness.
![“Well the first time I performed, my mom was like how she is now when sees me on stage – all red, smiling from ear to ear. So I don’t want to mess up, [be]cause she’s smiling. Seeing my mom happy is kind of like an overwhelming feeling.” quote by Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/477/chris-brown-1887_causes_well-the-first-time-i-performed-my-mom-w_4699.jpg)
