An “apple polisher” is one who gives gifts to win friendship or special treatment. It is not exactly a bribe(贿赂),but is close to it.
All sorts of people are apple polishers, including politicians and people in high offices ── just about everybody. Oliver Cromwell, the great English leader, offered many gifts to win the support of George Fox and his party, but failed.
There are other phrases meaning the same thing as “apple-polishing” ── “soft-soaping” or “butter-up”. A gift is just one way to “soft-soap” somebody, or to “butter him up”. Another that is just as effective is flattery, giving someone high praise ── telling him how good he looks, or how well he speaks, or how talented and wise he is.
Endless are the ways of flattery. Who does not love or hear it ? Only an unusual man can resist the thrill of being told how wonderful he is. In truth, flattery is good medicine for most of us, who gets so little of it.
We need it to be more sure of ourselves. It cannot hurt unless we get carried away by it. But we just lap it up for its food value and nourishment, as a cat laps up milk, then we can still remain true to ourselves.
Sometimes, however, flattery will get you nothing from one who has had too much of it. A good example is the famous 12th century legend of King Canute of Denmark and England. The king got tired of listening to the endless sickening flattery of his courtiers（朝臣）.They overpraised him to the skies, as a man of limitless power.
He decided to teach them a lesson. He took them to the seashore and sat down. Then he ordered the waves to stop coming in. The tide was too busy to listen to him. The king was satisfied. This might show his followers how weak his power was and how empty their flattery.
小题1:Which of the following activities has nothing to do with “apple-polishing” ?
A．A boy tells his girlfriend how pretty she looks
B．An employee tells his boss how good he is at management
C．A knight(骑士)is said to be of limitless power by his followers
D．A teacher praised his students for their talent and wisdom.小题2:Which of the following statement about flattery is TRUE according to the author ?
A．Too much flattery can carry us away
B．Flattery is too empty to do people any good
C．Flattery can get nothing but excessive(过度的)pride
D．Flattery is one of the ways to apple-polish people.小题3:King Canute of Denmark and England took his followers to the seashore because __________.
A．he was sick of his normal
B．he disliked being overpraised any more
C．he wanted them to realize how wise he was
D．he wanted them to see how weak he was as a king小题4:The author thinks that flattery can do good to those who _________.
A．are really excellent
B．lack confidence
C．are politicians or in high offices
D．think highly of themselves
