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Poem
June 8, 1819
Elizabeth Town Gazette
Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey
What is this article about?
A didactic poem cautioning against flattery's deceit, drawing from Proverbs to advocate honest criticism from enemies over insincere praise, highlighting its ruinous effects on all from peasants to kings.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
From the Vermont Intelligencer.
A MORAL LESSON IN RHYME.
"A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet."
It is better to listen when enemies rail,
Give heed to the scoffer with malice replete,
Than greedily swallow the flatterer's tale
Who is cunningly spreading a net for your feet
For the lips of the flatterer not only bring
To ruin the foolishly credulous maid,
But all other mortals from peasant to king
The parasite's mouth has too often betray'd.
We evermore find that the vilest of men
Make flattery a mantle for hatred and guile,
And are most excessively complaisant, when
Intending, like Joab to stab with a smile.
But he, who in friendship your faults will disclose
With mildness of manner, and motive sincere,
Deserves to be held even dearer than those
Whom the ties of fraternity serve to endear.
We often a monitor find in a foe,
Who is urg'd to abuse by malignity's thrall,
But still his reproach may a favour bestow,
As virtue is found in a rattlesnake's gall.
Let the children of malice go on to backbite,
Let envy's heart-burnings burst forth in a blaze.
A man becomes cautious as well as upright,
Who knows that such censors are watching his ways.
But the lips of the flatterer ever distil
A venom most deadly, tho' lusciously sweet
He tickles the ear of the credulous till
His art has completed a net for his feet.
A MORAL LESSON IN RHYME.
"A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet."
It is better to listen when enemies rail,
Give heed to the scoffer with malice replete,
Than greedily swallow the flatterer's tale
Who is cunningly spreading a net for your feet
For the lips of the flatterer not only bring
To ruin the foolishly credulous maid,
But all other mortals from peasant to king
The parasite's mouth has too often betray'd.
We evermore find that the vilest of men
Make flattery a mantle for hatred and guile,
And are most excessively complaisant, when
Intending, like Joab to stab with a smile.
But he, who in friendship your faults will disclose
With mildness of manner, and motive sincere,
Deserves to be held even dearer than those
Whom the ties of fraternity serve to endear.
We often a monitor find in a foe,
Who is urg'd to abuse by malignity's thrall,
But still his reproach may a favour bestow,
As virtue is found in a rattlesnake's gall.
Let the children of malice go on to backbite,
Let envy's heart-burnings burst forth in a blaze.
A man becomes cautious as well as upright,
Who knows that such censors are watching his ways.
But the lips of the flatterer ever distil
A venom most deadly, tho' lusciously sweet
He tickles the ear of the credulous till
His art has completed a net for his feet.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Flattery
Moral Lesson
Honest Criticism
Enemies Rail
Proverbs Quote
Deceitful Praise
Poem Details
Title
A Moral Lesson In Rhyme.
Subject
On Flattery And Honest Criticism
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
"A Man That Flattereth His Neighbour Spreadeth A Net For His Feet."
It Is Better To Listen When Enemies Rail,
Give Heed To The Scoffer With Malice Replete,
Than Greedily Swallow The Flatterer's Tale
Who Is Cunningly Spreading A Net For Your Feet
But The Lips Of The Flatterer Ever Distil
A Venom Most Deadly, Tho' Lusciously Sweet
He Tickles The Ear Of The Credulous Till
His Art Has Completed A Net For His Feet.