The decadence of flattery is described explicitly in the words of our Sages in several places. However, it is necessary to define what “flattery” is. For there are things that are not flattery, yet ignorant people think of them as flattery. For instance, many people think that somebody who shows honor to a wealthy person is a flatterer. But they are not correct since, in fact, it is proper to honor wealthy individuals, for we see that Rabbeinu Hakadosh used to honor the wealthy, and Rabbi Akiva, likewise, honored the wealthy. The reason for this is that since the Holy One wished to elevate the person and bestowed bounty on him, it is proper that we, too, honor the wealthy person. This is all the more so if one received some benefit from the wealthy individual, then one is certainly obligated to give the person honor. Another reason to honor a wealthy person is that we may assume that a person of such means probably performs many good deeds. It is therefore proper to be concerned about his honor, even if he deviated slightly from what was expected of him and one should not make light of his honor.