Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Women are never disarmed by compliments. Men always are.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Men prefer brief praise, pitched high; women are satisfied with praise in a lower key, just so it goes on and on.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
No compliment can be eloquent, except as an expression of indifference.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Compliments cost nothing, yet many pay dear for them.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Compliments of congratulation are always kindly taken, and cost nothing but pen, ink, and paper. I consider them as draughts upon good breeding, where the exchange is always greatly in favor of the drawer.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
When you cannot get a compliment in any other way pay yourself one.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
There is nothing you can say in answer to a compliment. I have been complimented myself a great many times, and they always embarrass me—I always feel that they have not said enough.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
If you can’t get a compliment any other way, pay yourself one.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
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
Usually we praise only to be praised.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Compliments which we think are deserved, we accept only as debts, with indifference; but those which conscience informs us we do not merit, we receive with the same gratitude that we do favors given away.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when one asked me what I thought, and attended to my answer.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
I can live for two months on a good compliment.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
There is no effect more disproportionate to its cause than the happiness bestowed by a small compliment.
—Robert Brault
A compliment is something like a kiss through a veil.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
If people did not compliment one another there would be little society.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues (1715–47) French Moralist, Essayist, Writer
When the million applaud you, seriously ask what harm you have done; when they censure you, what good!
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Current among men,
Like coin, the tinsel clink of compliment.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92) British Poet
Everybody likes a compliment.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
A deserved and discriminating compliment is often one of the strongest encouragements and incentives to the diffident and self-distrustful.
—Tryon Edwards (1809–94) American Theologian, Author
Hunger is never delicate; they who are seldom gorged to the full with praise may be safely fed with gross compliments, for the appetite must be satisfied before it is disgusted.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Flatterers look like friends, as wolves like dogs.
—George Chapman (c.1560–1634) English Poet, Playwright
I hate careless flattery, the kind that exhausts you in your effort to believe it.
—Wilson Mizner (1876–1933) American Dramatist
Her very frowns are fairer far
Than smiles of other maidens are.
—Hartley Coleridge (1796–1849) English Writer, Poet
Nothing is so silly as the expression of a man who is being complimented.
—Andre Gide (1869–1951) French Novelist
The hours I spend with you I look upon as sort of a perfumed garden, a dim twilight, and a fountain singing to it. You and you alone make me feel that I am alive. Other men it is said have seen angels, but I have seen thee and thou art enough.
—George Moore (1852–1933) Irish Writer
‘Twas never merry world
Since lowly feigning was called compliment.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
It is hard to resist a flatterer who gets it right.
—Robert Brault
Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
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