Rulers come in many varieties. Some are conceited and whimsically do anything that comes to mind. Some timidly follow rules and precedence. The best are usually willing to listen to others with strong contrasting viewpoints .
Advisors who always agree with and flatter a ruler are obviously not “advising” at all. They are merely echoing and amplifying the ruler’s desires. Sometimes that works well when the person in charge is extraordinarily intelligent, visionary, or lucky. As, of course, most people in power do regard themselves .
In “real life” a know-it-all has a career that is often nasty, brutish, and short. Underlings have the option of leaving to lead their own revolts and enterprises. Isolated rulers rarely succeed below the top level of authority .
Mostly we cringe at the toadies. They just want the rewards and reflected glory. They are willing to forfeit all integrity to remain within the charmed circle of the glorious leader. But, of course, they are also well aware of how precarious their position is .
We used to glory in being a nation of “mavericks” each person standing firm in integrity. Now that the “yes men” possess orders of magnitude of greater wealth, the medieval jester court has returned .
HuntingtonHarborThoughts 