Explore the significance of choosing honest companions over flatterers for personal growth. Learn how to distinguish true friends from flatterers through historical examples and philosophical insights. Discover the impact of tribalism on virtue perception and the deceptive tactics of flattery. Explore the art of offering constructive feedback to friends while maintaining virtuous friendships.
The Significance of Surrounding Yourself with the Right People
Plutarch's treatise 'How to Tell a Flatter from a Friend' delves into the importance of surrounding oneself with honest companions who aid in personal growth instead of flatterers who offer short-term praise. The treatise, relevant today as ever, emphasizes the necessity of choosing companions who provide valuable criticism, essential for success in one's path to glory and career achievements.
Identifying Flattery versus True Friendship
Plutarch contrasts flatterers with true friends by highlighting the deceptive tactics of flatterers who indulge in insincere praises while veering away from genuine criticisms. He stresses the importance of recognizing consistent values in individuals and how flatterers adapt their behavior depending on the person they are dealing with, unlike true friends who remain steadfast in their character regardless of circumstances.
Practicing Paraisia: The Key to True Friendship
Plutarch underscores the virtue of 'paraisia,' which embodies free and frank speech in true friendships. He warns against flattery's subtle yet harmful ways, such as inflating one's ego or masquerading insincere praises. By offering genuine criticism and steering clear of flattery's pitfalls, individuals can foster authentic friendships based on mutual excellence and virtue.
...Plutarch offers some advice on how to choose your friends, and how to be a good one. Examples include Alexander the Great, Cato, Carneades, Plato, Dionysius the Tyrant, and more.
(Here depicted: the monument of Philopappus in Athens, to whom Plutarch's essay is dedicated)
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode