Flattery.... gets its kicks by flirting with insult and ridicule.

Quotologists encounter happy surprises, bright books by faded authors, treasures hidden under dust.

Say what you want without saying it yourself: quote. Very useful, this, sometimes lovely, and versatile, too: big thoughts in small pieces, neatly wrapped and bundled in bulk, in different flavors for different tastes.

Excellent flatterers welcome attentive audiences; mighty potentates enjoy public praise. In the most pleasing situation, a flatterer would genuinely admire the flatteree, please that person, please other present company, be pleased to stagger rivals, and get something out of it: applause, promotion, a favor, reciprocal praise. Flattery is as social as a banquet.

Quotations cause all kinds of trouble.

[D]ifferent people have different quotational gravity.

Flatter yourself critically.