Alciato's Book of Emblems

Emblem 53

Against flatterers

The chameleon is always gaping, always breathing in and out the thin air it feeds on, and it changes its appearance, takes on diverse colours, except for red or white. Likewise the flatterer feeds on an air of popularity, and, open-mouthed, devours all; he mimics only the dark habits of the Prince, incapable of the pure and the chaste.