The more you speak of yourself, the more likely you are to lie.
—Johann Jacob Zimmermann (1644–93) German Nonconformist Theologian, Mathematician, Astronomer
Everybody likes a compliment.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Trust him little who praises all, him less who censures all, and him least who is indifferent about all.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
A word of encouragement during failure is worth more than a dictionary of praise after success.
—Unknown
Reproof on her lips, but a smile in her eyes.
—Samuel Lover (1797–1868) Anglo-Irish Writer, Artist, Songwriter
We are willing enough to praise freedom when she is safely tucked away in the past and cannot be a nuisance. In the present, amidst dangers whose outcome we cannot foresee, we get nervous about her, and admit censorship.
—E. M. Forster (1879–1970) English Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist
Few things in the world are more powerful than a positive push. A smile. A word of optimism and hope.
And you can do it when things are tough.
—Richard DeVos (1926–2018) American Businessman, Philanthropist
To praise is an investment in happiness.
—George Madison Adams (1837–1920) American Politician, Military Leader
You can’t eat compliments.
—Charles M. Schulz (1922–2000) American Cartoonist, Writer, Artist
I know, indeed, of nothing more subtle satisfying and cheering than a knowledge of the real good will and appreciation of others. Such happiness does not come with money, nor does it flow from a fine physical state. It cannot be bought. But it is the keenest joy, after all; and the toiler’s truest and best reward.
—William Dean Howells (1837–1920) American Novelist, Critic.
Their silence is praise enough.
—Terence (c.195–159 BCE) Roman Comic Dramatist
Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, “Make me feel important.” Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life.
—Mary Kay Ash (1918–2001) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
The surest plan to make a man is, think him so.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
It is not for minds like ours to give or to receive flatter; yet the praises of sincerity have ever been permitted to the voice of friendship.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
Praise out of season, or tactlessly bestowed, can freeze the heart as much as blame.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
A pat on the back is only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the pants, but is miles ahead in results.
—Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850–1919) American Poet, Journalist
A compliment is something like a kiss through a veil.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
Praise is a debt we owe unto the virtue of others, and due unto our own from all whom malice hath not made mutes, or envy struck dumb.
—Thomas Browne (1605–82) English Author, Physician
A man’s inner nature is revealed by what he praises-a man is self-judged by what he says of others. Thus a man is judged by his standards, by what he considers the best. And you can’t find a more crucial test. It reveals the soul.
—Hugo Black (1886–1971) American Politician, Jurist
Fondly we think we honor merit then, When we but praise ourselves in other men.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Many a man is praised for his reserve and so-called shyness when he is simply too proud to risk making a fool of himself.
—J. B. Priestley (1894–1984) English Novelist, Playwright, Critic
Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim of weak ones.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
A little praise is not only merest justice but is beyond the purse of no one.
—Emily Post (1873–1960) American Writer, Socialite
I never failed to convince an audience that the best thing they could do was to go away.
—Thomas Love Peacock (1785–1866) English Satirist, Novelist, Author
Criticism is more effective when it sounds like praise.
—Arnold Glasow (1905–98) American Businessman
Attach yourself to those who advise you rather than praise you.
—Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux (1636–1711) French Poet, Satirist, Literary Critic
The sweetest of all sounds is praise.
—Xenophon (c.430–c.354 BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
The praise that comes from love does not make us vain, but more humble.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist
To receive applause for works which do not demand all our powers hinders our advance towards a perfecting of our spirit. It usually means that thereafter we stand still.
—Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742–99) German Philosopher, Physicist
Please all, and you will please none.
—Aesop (620–564 BCE) Greek Fabulist
Praise in the beginning is agreeable enough, and we receive it as a favor; but when it comes in great quantities, we regard it only as a debt, which nothing but our merit could extort.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
He who praises everybody praises nobody.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
We must not always judge of the generality of the opinion by the noise of the acclamation.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
The sweetest sound of all is praise.
—Xenophon (c.430–c.354 BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
By recognizing a favorable opinion of yourself, and taking pleasure in it, you in a measure give yourself and your peace of mind into the keeping of another, of whose attitude you can never be certain. You have a new source of doubt and apprehension.
—Charles Cooley (1864–1929) American Sociologist
If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, then we did it. If anything goes real good, then you did it. That’s all it takes to get people to win football games.
—Bear Bryant (1913–83) American Sportsperson
Some writers take to drink, others take to audiences.
—Gore Vidal (1925–48) American Novelist, Essayist, Journalist, Playwright
I know that there is an eye that watches all of us. There is a judgment that weighs everything we do. And before this great force, which is greater than any government, I stand in awe and I kneel in respect. And it is to this great judgment that I dedicate this next song.
—Leonard Cohen (1934–2016) Canadian Singer, Songwriter, Poet, Novelist
Self-praise is no recommendation.
—Common Proverb
As the Greek said, many men know how to flatter; few know to praise.
—Wendell Phillips (1811–84) American Abolitionist, Lawyer, Orator
Insults should be written in the sand, and praises carved in stone.
—Arabic Proverb
Women are never disarmed by compliments. Men always are.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Appreciative words are the most powerful force for good on earth!
—George W. Crane (1901–95) American Psychologist, Physician
Don’t tell a woman she’s pretty; tell her there’s no other woman like her, and all roads will open to you.
—Jules Renard (1864–1910) French Writer, Diarist
The praise of a fool is incense to the wisest of us.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
The praise of ancient authors proceeds not from the reverence of the dead, but from the competition and mutual envy of the living.
—Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) English Political Philosopher
Praising an honest person who doesn’t deserve it, always wounds them.
—Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux (1636–1711) French Poet, Satirist, Literary Critic
I should entertain a mean opinion of myself if all men, or the most part, praised and admired me; it would prove me to be somewhat like them.
—Walter Savage Landor (1775–1864) English Writer, Poet
When someone does something good, applaud! You will make two people happy.
—Samuel Goldwyn (1879–1974) Polish-born American Film Producer, Businessperson
Be thou the first true merit to befriend, his praise is lost who stays till all commend.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Admonish your friends privately, but praise them openly.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
There are two things people want more than sex and money — recognition and praise.
—Mary Kay Ash (1918–2001) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
Where there is no difficulty there is no praise.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Praise shames me, for I secretly beg for it.
—Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) Bengali Poet, Polymath
A word of encouragement during failure is worth more than a whole book of praises after a success.
—Anonymous
Applause is the echo of a platitude.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
There are two modes of establishing our reputation—to be praised by honest men, and to be abused by rogues. It is best, however, to secure the former, because it will invariably be accompanied by the latter.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
If you achieve success, you will get applause, and if you get applause, you will hear it. My advice to you concerning applause is this; enjoy it but never quite believe it.
—Robert Montgomery (1904–81) American Film, Television Actor, Director, Producer
In doing what we ought we deserve no praise, because it is our duty.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
Many know how to flatter, few know how to praise.
—Wendell Phillips (1811–84) American Abolitionist, Lawyer, Orator
Sandwich every bit of criticism between two thick layers of praise.
—Mary Kay Ash (1918–2001) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
Praise is sometimes a good thing for the diffident and despondent. It teaches them properly to rely on the kindness of others.
—Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1802–38) English Poet, Novelist
The act of divine worship is the inestimable privilege of man, the only created being who bows in humility and adoration.
—Hosea Ballou (1771–1852) American Theologian
Spite of all modesty, a man must own a pleasure in the hearing of his praise.
—George Farquhar (1677–1707) Irish Dramatist
The person who seeks all their applause from outside has their happiness in another’s keeping .
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
The applause of a single human being is of great consequence.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
We are all excited by the love of praise, and it is the noblest spirits that feel it most.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer