What communication means

Flattery is telling the other person exactly what they think about themselves - Dale Carnegie
At its core, this quote means that the most effective praise isn't about what *you* think is great about someone, it's about validating the positive qualities *they* already believe they possess.

Flattery Quote

Don’t be afraid of enemies who attack you. Be afraid of the friends who flatter you - Dale Carnegie
The core message is that overt criticism is easy to identify and defend against, while subtle, insincere praise can be a far more dangerous trap, disarming your judgment and leading you astray.