Friday 15 November 2019

English Literature - On Judicious Flattery -Essay - Richard Steele


ON JUDICIOUS FLATTERY

-- Richard Steele
          “On Judicious Flattery” is an essay written by famous English essayist Richard Steele. In this essay, he elaborately discusses on various aspects of flattery and different kinds of flatterers. His essay is marked by realism than by any attempt of moralizing.  His essay presents his keen observation of men and manners. His thoughts are clear. It is a satirical essay on some real-life characters and their behaviours.

          Steele says that flattery is a great art of a few people. Steele mentions about a type of flatterer who is an injudicious civilian. Flattery is part of their eloquence.  Flattery doesn’t require any preparation. Such flatterers praise others on different things without any coherence. They praise everything from age to dress of the persons.

          According to Steele, an agreeable flatterer is one who does not have great qualities but is above great imperfections. He should be inferior to the man whom he flatters.  Such flatterers are the great benefactors of the rich. A good flatterer never contradicts others, but gains their support. They don’t praise in broad terms. But they support whatever the other party proposes or utters.

          Steele says that most of the people like to be flattered by others. It is an ingrained quality of human beings. Receiving flattery is like receiving free money. Every man thinks himself as a reputed person. So, he will be glad to receive flattery.

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