172 beware of flattery for everyone who hears you will not believe you even if you are truthful but will consider what he hears from you as one of your first faults. beware of praising someone to his face for that is the action of flatterers and weakwilled people. beware of criticizing someone in his presence or in his absence for you have more to do with improving yourself.
١٧٢ إياك والامتداح، فغن كل من يسمعك، لا يصدقك وإن كنت صادقا، بل يجعل ما سمع منك من ذلك من أول معايبك، وإياك ومدح أحد في وجهه، فإنه فعل أهل الملق وضعفة النفوس. وإياك وذم أحد في حضرته ولا في مغيبه، فلك في إصلاح نفسك شغل.