תהלים, פרק י״ב, פסוק ג׳

Human communication loses its value when it becomes infected with flattery and hypocrisy, reducing promises to meaningless chatter. The primary approach among commentators is that such daily conversations lack any real substance. While people may speak to one another in a soft and pleasant manner, these interactions are fundamentally dishonest because they do not reflect the true thoughts of the speakers. This reliance on flattery has simply become a constant, ingrained habit [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מאירי, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This dynamic creates a deep disconnect between what is said and what is actually felt. Individuals project an outward appearance of peace and good intentions, yet they secretly harbor hatred and malice. This state of deceit is compared to a person who operates with two distinct hearts. The tongue serves as a willing messenger for the first heart, speaking agreeable words, while the second, hidden heart holds contradictory thoughts and entirely disagrees with what is being said [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].

This hypocrisy can reach such an extreme level that deceitful individuals might even publicly condemn flattery, presenting themselves as people of faith and integrity while their own hearts remain entirely insincere [מלבי״ם]. However, a different perspective suggests that this culture of lies and flattery has become so widespread that it actually defeats its own purpose. Because everyone attempts to deceive one another and operates with hidden motives, people easily recognize the insincerity in others. As a result, despite the constant attempts at manipulation, no one actually falls into the trap of another person's flattery [אלשיך].