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CHAP. VII. (Book 7)
How, when, and with whom, a man may use Flattery. The condition of true, and free Adulation. The necessity of Assentation and flattering.
1. IT cannot otherwise be but Flattery must be used with such dispositioned Princes as have been spoken of, that so a man may oblige them. But this is not to be done after any manner of way; for, a too sordid and servile Adulation and flattery displeased even Tiberius; who was heard when he went out of the Court to speake in Greek to this effect (O men fitted for servitude). They are the words of Tacitus in the 3 of his Annals.
2. Flattery usurped and too often used becomes as hurtfull as when omitted and neglected. For it many times happens that he whom we manifestly flatter, suspects us of deceit and craftiness towards himselfe. It is the judgment of Aesohines and Plutarch, that flattery ought to have something of truth, and of the species and shaddow of liberty and freedome; that so we may perswade not onely the Prince, but others, that we speake cordially, and thereby conserve our Credit and Esteeme with them.
3. Croesus in the time of his reigne had through∣ly learned the Ingenies, and inclinations of kings, and what would please, or displease them: for when on a time Cambyses king of the Persians had enquired of those that stood about him, what