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Related articles: China > Culture

According to Laut Shishuoxinyu, Emperor Tang Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, passed a tree following a court hearing one day. He enjoyed the tree's leaves and branches. An underling, Yuwenshiji stood close by and attempted to flatter the emperor by saying good things about the tree. Tang Taizong berated the flatterer, "Wei Zheng taught me to keep a distance from those of low character. Although I assumed you might be one of those people, I was not sure until now." Yuwenshiji was crushed and asked forgiveness.  

Confucius said, "I consider those of low character whose sharp tongues do our nation harm, but we must also keep apart from those who try to flatter; those who flatter easily are crafty to discern what their superiors want and how to make them happy. To reach this end, these people can embellish things, twist the truth and do harm to those who are honest and upright. Therefore, beware of those who flatter!"

The open rebuke Yuwneshiji received is a good example of that.  

It is not difficult to single out a person of low character from the rest. A person who speaks the truth, daring to voice what is on his mind, is an upright person. Those who try to ingratiate themselves and flatter are sly and conniving.