XXIII+-+HOW+FLATTERERS+SHOULD+BE+AVOIDED

A prince cannot have people flattering him constantly, if he does then he may develop an unwanted ego. The prince sould have wisdom enough to discern the advice given to him by his people also, to distinguish between flatterers and advisors.

"Therefore a prudent prince must hold to a third mode, chosing wise men in his state; and only to these should he give freedom to speak the truth to him, and of those things only that he asks about and nothing else."(Machiavelli)

A flatterer will do the prince no good.