While flatterers pipe, devils dance

Even though we know we shouldn't we all prefer the praise of the silver-tongued charmer to the sober realities of constructive criticism. It is so much nicer to have your beliefs that you are really rather special and gifted confirmed than to hear that you really need to apply yourself and raise your game.

Flattery will get you anywhere they say and none of us are immune. The sad truth is that when you are hearing what you want to hear the chances are it is blather and you are being led up the garden path.

Don't let flatterers take advantage of your natural human wish for praise and approval. The devil looks after his own but that doesn't include you -- does it?