Know thyself, thine evil as thy good, and flattery shall not harm thee:
Yea, her speech shall be a warning, a humbling and a guide.
For wherein thou lackest most, there chiefly will the sycophant commend thee,
And then most warmly will congratulate, when a man hath least deserved.
Behold, she is doubly a traitor; and will underrate her victim's best,
That, to the comforting of conscience, she may plead his worse for better.
Therefore, is she dangerous,—as every lie is dangerous:
Believe her tales, and perish: if thou act upon such counsel.
Her aims are thine not thee, thy wealth and not thy welfare,
Thy suffrage not thy safety, thine aid and not thine honour.