44. On Flattery:Flattery must be balanced—otherwise, it becomes unbearably uncomfortable.

Those who enjoy flattering others inevitably crave being flattered themselves; those who dislike flattery equally dislike being flattered. Why is this? It comes down to the theory of balance. Humans must maintain not only physical equilibrium but also psychological equilibrium. Whether losing physical balance or psychological equilibrium, people experience profound discomfort. Thus, balance is essential. Flattery also demands equilibrium; imbalance leads to serious issues. When someone dispenses flattery, their psychological equilibrium shifts, causing unconscious discomfort. At this point, they desperately crave reciprocal flattery. Once received, they experience profound satisfaction and gratification. Why do some sycophants' words make any normal person feel nauseous, yet leaders not only tolerate them but actually relish them? This is the reason. Because leaders have flattered their superiors, they need others to flatter them back to maintain psychological equilibrium. The more disgusting the flattery, the faster they regain balance—so they absolutely won't resent it.

Understanding this theory of sycophantic equilibrium explains why the lowest-level civil servants in the bureaucracy treat the public with extreme hostility. Within the system, they must flatter their superiors but have no subordinates to flatter them in return, creating a severe imbalance in their sycophantic dynamics. They desperately crave flattery, yet the commoners who come seeking services are incapable of providing it. Consequently, they vent their frustration through abysmal service.

Understanding the theory of sycophantic equilibrium explains why leaders become kinder to the people as their rank increases. Higher-ranking officials have more sycophants flattering them and fewer sycophants to flatter themselves, so they don't need commoners to flatter them to maintain psychological balance.

Understanding the flattery equilibrium theory explains why a person with normal thinking often becomes psychologically abnormal once they climb to the position of supreme leader. Moreover, the longer they hold that position, the more psychologically abnormal they become. This is because the supreme leader doesn't need to flatter others, yet all subordinates must flatter them. Flattery constantly flows in, but none flows out, leading to a severe imbalance in the supreme leader's flattery equilibrium. This imbalance of flattery leads to psychological imbalance, manifesting as a psychopathic delusion of omnipotence.

Understanding the theory of flattery equilibrium explains why those who dislike flattery react with intense aversion to it. Since they themselves do not need to flatter others, their psychological equilibrium remains intact. Receiving flattery from others disrupts this balance, causing them to instinctively reject it.

After examining the theory of flattery equilibrium, one gains deeper insight into how flattery harms society without offering any benefit. The fundamental reason flattery persists is that those who have become sycophants use it to curry favor with their masters for personal gain. Driven by self-interest, the practice of flattery grows ever more rampant. To eradicate flattery, we must eliminate the benefits it offers at its source. Otherwise, it will persist alongside human society indefinitely.