Lyric Compliment?

Well I ve felt worse and I have felt
better than this
I ve made a pacifier
Out of my fist

Well I don t care when bones are bare
The mind can t interfere
And what I ve said outside my head
Anyone can hear

Maybe I praise you cause I cannot praise myself
Won t you just take
A compliment from me?

Perhaps they re understated
And a little overmasked
If they were hand delivered
It would be more than I could ask

Forwardness ain t my business
But you can fish for compliments
While I beg for forgiveness

I d like to reap the flatteries I sow
But I really cast seeds of doubt
Looks like you take them from everyone
And everyone hands them out

Self mutilation just ain t my trip
But now this is worth the trouble
Cut me open with your laughter
I bleed complementary colors

Tender seedlings trampled
And overwatered boughs
Won t you just take
A compliment from me?

Perhaps they re overstated
And a little undermasked
If they were what I really meant
It would be more than I could ask

Forwardness should be my business
But you can fish for compliments
While I beg for forgiveness

Well I have tried every approach
And they always leave me empty
But each one has it s special way
Of making everyone contempt me

It seems rather selfish to want to be loved
Or to love and expect you to care
But my batteries don t run on flattery
And it just gets me nowhere

Oh when was I ever promised
I d get back all that I gave?
But I wouldn t care if you d take
A compliment from me

Perhaps it s too late
Or too much to expect
But compliments that come no strings attached
Well, they re certainly the best
Thing for me, I adore you
But you can fish for compliments
And I won t be there to bore you