No, let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp,
And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift may follow fawning.
– William Shakespeare
Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 2. Hamlet, talking to Horatio, says to reserve flattery for kissing the hands of powerful people and to kneel before rich people who pay well. The "absurd pomp" refers to Claudius, who stole the throne, and the "candied tongue" to those in his court who fawn over him.