?Flatterers are the worst kind of traitors ?? Sir Walter Raleigh King Canute (1016 ?35), the first English king of the Danish dynasty, gave a valuable lesson to flatterers. No sooner had he stepped out of his room than attendants and courtiers would start: ?You?re the most illustrious man of this world?, one would say.

Others would go on with such sugary words: ?You?re the most powerful ruler?; ?You?re capable of doing everything?; ?There?ll never be any king as mighty as you?; ?No one is so bold as to disobey you?; ?All in this world bows to your authority?.

Unlike so many persons in high office, who tolerate and are eager for exaggerated praise and even reward bootlickers and hangers-on, King Canute was tired of them. While he was at the seaside one day, accompanied by his men, he asked them to bring his chair close to the water and sat on it.

Looking at the sea, he told them, ?Now the tide is coming in and the waves will soon crash on to the beach. Do you think they?ll stop if I give the order?? No one dared to argue: they replied, ?Why not ? The waves will surely obey you.?

In no time, the ?all-powerful? king facing the sea commanded the waves to stop. But they didn?t; one after another the waves came rolling in, wetting not only his feet but part of his robe as well. His officers standing by his side hung down their heads in shame, not knowing what to do or say.

Eventually, King Canute had to explain to them that he was not as mighty as they had always had him believe; that they had now seen with their own eyes. The philosopher-king reminded them that there is only one King -God who rules the universe including the sea. He further advised them to reserve their praises for Him.

Say what you like, flattery lavished on rulers, administrators, heads of organisations or departments has paid off from the earliest times to the present day. And flatterers benefited much in spite of their poor or scanty education. In addition to the daily favours these fawning individuals get at the expense of their colleagues, they are promoted to higher positions; and moreover, honours are conferred on them for their ?meritorious? services on great occasions in the calendar year.

Flattery - words filled with high praise referring to all that is apparently beautiful and excellent in you - no matter how pleasing to the ear - does not show your true self, your character and personality. Flattery generally gives no idea about your weak points: the flatterer knows well that if he/she speaks of what is true - your shortcomings or imperfections - he/she will stop receiving the usual favours.

<B>Kaviraj SOHUR</B>