Your friends praise your abilities to the skies, submit to you in argument, and seem to have the greatest deference for you; but, though they may ask it, you never find them following your advice upon their own affairs; nor allowing you to manage your own, without thinking that you should follow theirs. Thus, in fact, they all think themselves wiser than you, whatever they may say.

Summary

This quote highlights the irony of how friends often shower praise and admiration upon us, acknowledging our abilities and skills. However, when it comes to seeking advice or managing their own affairs, they tend to disregard our suggestions and believe that their own opinions are superior to ours. It implies that while they may claim respect and admiration, deep down, they consider themselves wiser and more knowledgeable than us, undermining the credibility and sincerity of their initial praise.

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