The holy Psalmist prays - Let not the oil of the sinner fatten my head. That oil is often flattery. It will be true wisdom to watch against, and to pray to be delivered from it. The Pharisees, when they took counsel to entangle Jesus in his speech, sought to succeed by flattery. Master, they said, we know that thou art a true speaker, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man. Flattery is not always falsehood; but sometimes truth, as in our Lord's case, but spoken with a bad purpose; and the danger is scarcely less, when the purpose is not bad. When honestly spoken, and from true affection, it will act as a poison, helping to feed and flatter self-esteem in the hearer, than which nothing can be more hurtful, or more retard spiritual progress. The kingdom of heaven is for the poor in spirit. If we know ourselves, we must be conscious that we want no flattery to make us think well of ourselves, and not wise to sobriety. It may be taken as an invariable rule of God in dealing with those He loves, to keep down self-esteem, to humble them, and stablish His kingdom within them, on the breaking up of that dangerous occupant of our hearts. Flattery opposes this plan of God for our good. Let us neither receive it for ourselves, nor use it to others. The wise King of Israel says - A man that speaketh to his friend with flattering and dissembling words, spreadeth a net for his feet; and Saint Paul says of himself, what we shall do well to keep in mind, neither have we used at any time the speech of flattery.
- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp