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The changes of the flatterer, which are like those of a cuttle-fish, may be most easily detected if a man pretends that he is very changeable himself and disapproves the mode of life which he previously approved, and suddenly shows a liking for actions, conduct, or language which used to offend him. For he will see that the flatterer is nowhere constant, has no character of his own, that it is not because of his own feelings that he loves and hates, and rejoices and grieves, but that, like a mirror, he only catches the images of alien feelings, lives and movements. For he is the kind of man, who, if you chance to blame one of your friends before him, will exclaim, You’ve been slow in discovering the man’s character; for my part I took a dislike to him long ago. But if, on the next occasion, you change about again and commend the man, then you may be sure the flatterer will avow that he shares your pleasure and thanks you for the man’s sake, and that he believes in him. If you say that you must adopt some other sort of life, as, for example, by changing from public life to ease and quietness, then he says, Yes, we ought long ago to have secured release from turmoils and jealousies. But again if you appear to be bent on public activity and speaking, then he chimes in, Your thoughts are worthy of you; ease is a pleasant thing, but it is inglorious and mean. Without more ado we must say to such a man: Stranger, you seem to me now a different man than aforetime.Homer, Odyssey, xvi. 181. I have no use for a friend that shifts about just as I do and nods assent just as I do (for my shadow better performs that function), but I want one that tells the truth as I do, and decides for himself as I do. This is one method, then, of detecting the flatterer;
