na-adjective, noun
Literary and rare term for insincere praise or sycophantic behavior. Not used in everyday conversation; modern equivalents include お世辞 or 追従.
彼の言葉は便佞に過ぎず、本心ではない。
His words are nothing but flattery and not his true feelings.
便佞の徒に惑わされてはいけない。
Do not be misled by sycophants.
Common, everyday word for flattery or compliments, often insincere but socially acceptable. 便佞 is far more literary and carries a stronger negative connotation of sycophancy.
Also means flattery or sycophancy, but more common than 便佞. 追従 is used in modern Japanese, while 便佞 is archaic and rarely encountered.
The exact derivation is uncertain; the kanji 便 (convenience, facility) and 佞 (flattery, insincere praise) combine to suggest smooth-talking or ingratiating behavior. The word is of Chinese origin (Sino-Japanese).