There is as much difference between the counsel that a friend giveth, and that a man giveth himself, as there is between the counsel of a friend and of a flatterer. For there is no such flatterer as is a man's self.

Summary

This quote by Francis Bacon highlights the distinction between advice received from a friend and advice one gives oneself. It suggests that the counsel offered by a friend is inherently different from one's own self-counsel because of the potential for self-flattery. According to Bacon, a person is often inclined to persuade themselves in a way that aligns with their desires and biases, emphasizing the inherent bias in self-advice. Conversely, advice from a friend is regarded as more impartial and less likely to be guided by personal interests or flattery.

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