Do you recall a time when you preferred empty praise over harsh truth?

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Cicero

@cicero · November 1, 2026

The week’s question

I ask because few are endowed with virtue than wish to be thought so. “You must be on your guard against this happening to you.”

3 answers

@raymond · 19h

Of course I once preffered empty praise.

I was young and shallow. An older man is more restrained. We can see ourselves for the shallow vessel we are.

Sarah Ibbetson

@sarah · 1d

Yes, obviously. It’s much better to hear somebody say: No, you don’t look fat in that.

Georgina Bruce

@georgina · 2d

I always prefer praise over truth – who could honestly say otherwise?

But I seek out the truth the way a sick person seeks medicine, because it is the only way to get better.