PRAISE AND FLATTERY

PRAISE AND FLATTERY

If you praise me too much

I will suspect you

If you criticize me objectively

I will respect you

 

I am no longer a child

to be pleased and appeased

My vanity and ego

have all been released

 

A criticizing friend is better

than a flattering foe

A friend criticizes you in your presence

But he praises you in your absence

 

A foe praises you to fool you

and makes you forget your own view

he will mock you at your back

you will be deceived by his knack

 

I like the piercing arrows

better than the softening flower bouquets

The arrows may make wounds in my body

but they will never touch my soul by anybody

 

Flattery is the fools food

It doesn’t do any good

I don’t hesitate to enter the dangerous wood

I have the blessings from my Lord to do What I should

Reviews

[Liza]

I don't know if I can agree with this rule, people are very sensitive and I only offer truth when asked. Unfortunately, most people prefer pretty lies and others love to criticize to feed their own weakened ego through a superiority complex. Any words said to me whether criticism or praise; I don't feel the words - i feel the intent...do they wish to inspire me? Do they wish to push me further - all our motives and motivation differ. My mother would give me negative criticism all my life; and although it fueled me to be better because my rebellion wanted to prove her wrong; i resent her still for hurting me.

[Beautifully Tragic xPoe..]

I enjoyed this piece. It definetly feels to me like this about those kind of people that are two faced ---and I know a lot of them who are like this. Great write!

[lovejulez03]

Great piece. I can feel the heart behind your words and it's obviously very honest. I think the execution was great and the ending was great as well. Keep up the good word

[?]

I totally agree with Liza on this one.
This is a very powerful piece, very wise words.
Love the ending

[Judy Ponceby]

A strong poem with a wise lesson, JVL. Fair warning to those who wish to deceive.

[LadyNaida]

This is wonderful! I always pray that the Lord may keep me humbled in everything I do.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are a wise man. A man with wisdom will listen and learn from a good friend. A liar tale can lead us on the wrong path.
"I like the piercing arrows
better than the softening flower bouquets
The arrows may make wounds in my body
but they will never touch my soul by anybody"
Thank you for your strong and powerful poetry.
Coyote

[Cherrie]

great job loved it, do not be deceived by a flattering speech

[Becky C Strukamp]

Wonderful flow of words. Another outstanding poem.

[Poetic Beauty]

I would rather have a friend tell me the honest and hurtful truth and be deceived. I had that happen before and it was soul shattering when I found out the truth much later on. I am the type of person who wants the hurtful truth. You word it nicely but i would rather be a little hurt now than be destroyed later on.

[Sparrow]

I understand how you feel. A true friend knows how to tell you the truth when you need it, but I also think true friends know how to support you. They're kings and queens of constructive criticism. Wonderful piece.