Hair-raising flattery

SM was almost bald. Another friend TA was known for taking loans never to return.

TA needed money urgently.

He told SM: “Oooff.. did you dye your hair today?”

Blushing, SM answered, “I do not even have enough hair to comb.”

“Who said?  Man, don’t you know girls like semi-baldies?”

In a few minutes, TA managed to get a few hundred rupees “loan” from SM.

A week passed. We told SM that he was fooled.

A red-faced SM approached TA.

“Hey, your money is safe. But tell me, did you use shampoo today? Your hair is flying like in Rajnikant films,” TA replied.

A smiling SM returned to his seat with hands holding a comb. 

Years later, I am sure SM has not yet got back his money.

But there are people in history who hated sycophancy.

Philosopher Aristippus gained a comfortable position at the court of Dionysius, a tyrant, by constant flattery. One day, observing Diogenes preparing lentils for a meagre meal, Aristippus said: "If you would only learn to compliment Dionysius, you wouldn't have to live on lentils."

"And if you would only learn to live on lentils, you wouldn't have to flatter Dionysius," retorted Diogenes.