ENGLISH LITERATURE: Characters of Theophrastus

A Flatterer is one who, if he walks or converses with you, will say to you: "Do you observe how many men's eyes are upon you? I have not noticed anybody else in this town who is so much looked at ..." If there is the least speck on your clothes, or if there is none, he makes a show of taking it off: or if any small straw or feather has got into your hair, the Flatterer picks it off: and smiling says, "You are grown grey these few days for want of my company, and yet your hair is naturally as black as any man's of your age." If you reply, the flatterer calls for silence and praises you openly and profusely to your face.

The Flatterer

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According to the Open Dictionary, a flatterer is someone who praises another person in order to get what they want. E.g., The president was surrounded by careerists and flatterers."

When you have spoken, the flatterer breaks out into an exclamation, with an "Oh well spoken?" If you make a joke about anybody, the Flatterer laughs as if he were being tickled; muffling himself in his cloak, as if he couldn't possibly help himself. When you meet anybody, he plays the gentleman-usher, asking him to give way, as if you were a very great Person. He buys pears and apples, and carries them home to your children, and gives them usually in your presence: and kissing them, exclaims: Oh, the very image of your excellent father!"

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If you buy shoes, if he is present, he swears your foot is far more handsome and that the shoe misshapes it. If at any time you go to visit a friend, the Flatterer plays the harbinger; runs ahead, and advertises your coming, and soon returning, tells you that he has given them notice of it.

The Harbinger

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Whatever belongs to the women's sphere, like painting, preserving, needlework, and so forth, he can discourse about like any lady's maid. Of all the quests, he is the first to praise the wine, and, sitting by your couch, he makes up to you, commenting on how little you eat, and how abstemious you are: and taking some special dish from the table, he takes occasion to commend it. He is busy and full of questions: whether this man is not cold: and why he goes about so thinly clad: and why won't he dress better? Then he whispers in your ear: and while others are speaking, his eye is always on you. At the theatre, taking the cushions from the boy, he arranges them himself: he praises the situation and building of your house, and the way the ground is cultivated. In conclusion, you will always find a flatterer doing what he presumes will be most pleasing and agreeable.

The Flatterer

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The Flatterer

This sketch of the Flatterer was written by the Greek, Theophrastus, in the third century B.C. His method is simple, but the sketch is full of life because Theophrastus was a original writer.

"He is just the person, too, who can run errands to the women’s market without drawing breath. He is the first of the guests to praise the wine; and to say, as he reclines next the host, ‘How delicate is your fare!’ and (taking up something from the table) ‘Now this — how excellent it is!’ He will ask his friend if he is cold, and if he would like something more; and, before the words are spoken, will wrap him up. Moreover, he will lean towards his ear and whisper with him; or will glance at him as he talks to the rest of the company. He will take the cushions from the slave in the theatre, and spread them on the seat with his own hands. He will say that his patron’s house is well built, that his land is well planted, and that his portrait is like."

[In short, the Flatterer may be observed saying and doing all things by which he conceives that he will gain favour.]

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Source: http://www.eudaemonist.com/biblion/characters/
http://www.eudaemonist.com/biblion/characters/