Adulation is virtuous, but excessive praise or admiration is hypocritical and exaggerated. While adulation may seem positive on the surface, it can lack legitimacy and be motivated by a yearning to advantage favour or manipulation rather than genuine appreciation.

 While everyone enjoys adulation and physical admiration, it is crucial to guard against transforming genuine praise into flattery and sycophancy. This deceitful practice can lead to disillusionment and distrust, as a cautionary tale in our relationships.

Some thrive on flattery as it appeals to their emotions and sense of self-worth, boosting their self-esteem. However, blatant flattery may sometimes backfire if perceived as manipulative and dishonest.

From a mother admiring her child’s growth to a lover admiring their beloved’s prettiness, there is virtue in admiration. Genuine admiration, rooted in truth and authenticity, is a powerful tool that makes us feel valued and respected, reinforcing our self-worth in a way that flattery cannot.

Understanding the clear difference between ADMIRATION and ADULATION is empowering. It equips us to confidently navigate the complex world of praise and flattery, ensuring we discern genuine appreciation from manipulative tactics.

*Adulation in itself incites a flavour of flattery and fulsome praise. Adulation is given for achievement or feat; there is no scale to fathom how much jealousy and prejudice are amalgamated into the giver’s intentions.

*Admiration refers to respect and approval toward someone or something, often based on genuine accomplishments.

During a ‘live stage performance’, the performers and the MCs beg for claps from the audience. It undoubtedly boosts the artist’s performance. However, the farce approval sordidly nurtures the false game of adulation.

A friend had a nasty habit of falsely praising people in the face. He believed nothing was wrong since flattery made the other person feel good. Society is swarming with such breeds who thrive on manipulation and false intentions.

History suggests that admiration was always there, but flattery and sycophancy came with Tyranny. In the King’s Darbar, sycophants were hired to glorify his highness’s pseudo-accomplishments and masculinity. The higher the flattery, the more the rewards. Politics today stinks with flatterers who can stoop down to all extents, pleasing their superiors for personal gains and ulterior motives.

Flatterers breed freely like maggots in the over-ambitious people’s paradise. Basking in false adoration, these people are being wrongly rubbed for a hefty price. The irony is that flattery corrupts both the giver and the receiver and is a cautionary tale to be wary of its allure and potential harm.

Instead of a hundred friends who flatter with false words, having a single enemy who criticises with truth and conviction is better. “Nothing in the world is harder than speaking the truth and easier than flattery.”

‘Mutual flattery’ is rampant today on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram. You LIKE me, and I’ll LIKE you. One can virtually buy people’s comments and likes. We flatter to be flattered and falsely believe that flattery makes friends. This false notion feeds our ego and makes us feel good.

“Flattery is like chewing gum. Enjoy it, but don’t swallow it.”

Love relationships envisage varied sycophancy. A male practices flattery to woo a female financially, physically, and emotionally. Fair sex also yearns to be adored and idolized for their looks and mannerisms. Who cares about the truth? However, sensitive minds and emotional hearts can decipher the modus operandi, saving themselves from being lured. The proponents of Shringar Rasa have penned volumes of poetry and prose, flattering female protagonists with hyperboles and blatant embellishments. Is it truth or flattery?

Life is a razor-edge walk between Adulation and Humiliation. Success and Failure go hand in hand, like the rail tracks. The most steady and healthy self-esteem comes through the merit and reverence earned from the surrounding people. External fame and celebrity status are a farce cherished by gratuitous adulation.

A self-worthy person doesn’t need validation, glorification, or adulation either. A productive mind with the essence of candid creativity leads a positive life, day in and day out. It says much without saying much and means a lot without demonstrating much. He is valiant to survive the scarcity of life’s adulation. This is contrary to the coward who sneaks to his demise.

“Gossip is saying behind their backs what you wouldn’t say to their face. Flattery is saying to their faces what you would not say behind their back.”

 

The day your mind adores your heart and your heart flatters your soul – you have lived a truly accomplished life because there is no better admiration than genuine applause for your self-esteem and respect.

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