"He who sports compliments, unless he takes good aim, may miss his mark, and be wounded by the recoil of his own weapon."

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We must suit the flattery to the mind and taste of the recipient. We do not put essences into hogsheads, nor porter into phials. Delicate minds may be disgusted by compliments that would please a grosser intellect; as some fine ladies who would be shocked at the idea of a dram will not refuse a liqueur.

— Charles Caleb Colton