In the old days of autocracy, around the monarch there was always a throng of toady courtiers.The dictator enjoyed all sorts of praise and flattery but hated frank criticism and admonition.

• 一人做主的专权政治时代，独裁者身边总有许多阿谀逢迎的佞臣，独裁者爱听各种赞美他的好话，不要听批评他的谏言。