""Personne n'est plus dupé par la flatterie que l'orgueilleux qui souhaite être le premier et ne l'est pas""
— Baruch Spinoza
Simplified Meaning:
People who think very highly of themselves and want to be the best often fall for compliments and flattery easily. Imagine a person who always wants to be seen as the smartest in the room but isn't actually the smartest. When someone praises them or tells them how great they are, they believe it quickly because it makes them feel important. Even if the praise isn't completely true, they like hearing it because it matches what they want to believe about themselves. For example, in a workplace, an employee who thinks they should be the boss might believe any positive feedback, thinking it proves they deserve a promotion. To apply this to your life, be mindful of how much you value praise and try to stay realistic about your abilities and achievements. By doing so, you'll be less likely to be misled by flattering words and more focused on genuine growth.
