Quote by Jonathan Swift, Cadenus and Vane
'Tis an old maxim in the schools,That flattery's the food of fools;Yet now and then your men of witWill condescend to take a bit.
Summary
This quote suggests that while it is commonly acknowledged that flattery is often received by foolish individuals, occasionally even clever individuals are willing to indulge in flattery. It points out that even intelligent people, though aware of its insincerity, can't resist the allure of flattery every now and then. The quote seems to playfully critique human behavior, highlighting the occasional weakness of even the most astute minds when faced with the temptation of flattering words.