Fyodor Dostoevsky. Crime and punishment (№ 159063)

I floated the greatest and unshakable means to conquer women's hearts, a remedy that never cheat and that acts decisively on every single one, without exception. This tool is known - flattery. There is nothing in this world is harder than speaking the truth, nothing easier than flattery. If the directness only one-hundredth of fake notes, then there is immediately the dissonance of a scandal. If flattery even to the last notes false and then it is pleasant and is heard not without pleasure; even with the rough pleasure, but still pleasure. And however coarse the flattery, it certainly, at least, half of it seems true. And it's for all developments and walks of life. Even if they can seduce with flattery. And about ordinary people and say nothing.