How to know a Flatterer from a Friend.
Antiochus Philopappus.
PLATO is of Opinion, that 'tis very par∣donable in a Man to acknowledge that he has an extraordinary Passion for himself, and yet the Humor is attended with this ill Consequent, besides several others, that it ren∣ders us incapable of making a right Judgment of our selves; for our Affections usually blind our discerning Faculties, unless we have learn'd to raise them above the sordid Level of things con∣genial and familiar to us, to those which are tru∣•…•…y noble and excellent in themselves. And hence •…•…t is that we are so frequently expos'd to the At∣tempts of a Parasite, under the Disguise and Vi∣zard of a Friend: for Self-love, that grand Flatterer within, willingly entertains another from without, who will both sooth up and second the Man in the good Opinions he has conceiv'd of himself. For he who deservedly lies under the Character of one that loves to be flatter'd, is doubtless sufficiently fond of