Sadler's Lectures Plutarch, How To Tell A Flatterer From A Friend - Assistance And Services
6 snips
Jun 4, 2024 Explore the intriguing distinctions between true friendship and flattery through Plutarch's insights. Learn how sincerity plays a crucial role in identifying authentic relationships versus deceitful gestures. The discussion unfolds the complexities of kindness, highlighting the moral quality of actions and motivations behind them. Discover why honest feedback is vital in genuine friendships, while flatterers often seek personal gain. This deep dive into human connections challenges listeners to reflect on their own relationships.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Services Mask True Motives
- Plutarch treats services and courtesies as a key domain where flattery imitates friendship and causes confusion.
- The flatterer often outstrips a true friend in visible attentions, creating uncertainty about motives.
Greeting Contrast Vignette
- Plutarch gives a vignette: a genuine friend greets with a glance and smile while a flatterer runs up and over-explains.
Eagerness As A Red Flag
- Flatterers are persistent, assiduous, and eager for opportunities to do favors, unlike friends who show restraint.
- Excessive eagerness becomes a diagnostic sign to be on guard against flattery.
