Sans la liberté de blâmer, il n'est point d'éloge flatteur; et qu'il n'y a que les petits hommes qui redoutent les petits écrits.
~ Pierre Beaumarchais
Translation: "Without freedom to criticize, there is no flattering praise; and only small men are afraid of small writings." link
The Wiki link gives an incorrect translation, reciting "If censorship reigns, there cannot be sincere flattery."
But "sincere flattery" is an oxymoron. In the original sense of the word, flattery means praise that is not sincere but is intended to get you something that you want.
What Beaumarchais was trying to say is that in a censored world, all praise will be fake praise. Think North Korean "Dear Leader" worship. Think of the intolerance of criticizing our POTUS. Some Muslims seem unable to tolerate anything but flattering praise.
3 comments:
As always, the Left sides with the savages.
FWIW: WV - Islar.
Somebody trying to tell us something?
Now I'd not thought that "flattery" was a synonym for "you're lying". And I say this as a Norwegian brought up to believe that praise is always suspect. But I've met people who view the words as the same. Flattery is lying.
OTOH, "that dress is flattering to your figure" isn't considered lying.
So I think that the word has different meanings related to what part of speech we use it in. In English.
Translating from another language is difficult.
Perhaps the word "praise" would fit the meaning better.
If you're constrained to say good things, then the good things lose meaning.
Which may be why my people didn't say good things since you were never allowed to say bad things either. Saying bad things is not done and good things aren't trustworthy.
Heh.
A very thoughtful comment, synova. Thanks!
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