We ought not to raise expectations which it is not in our power to satisfy.—It is more pleasing to see smoke brightening into flame, than flame sinking into smoke.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
We begin to praise when we begin to see a thing needs our assistance.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
The strongest bond of human sympathy, outside of the family relation, should be one uniting all working people, of all nations, and tongues, and kindreds. Nor should this lead us to a war upon property, or the owners of property. Property is the fruit of labor; property is desirable; is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich shows that others may become rich and, hence, is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another, but let him labor diligently and build one for himself, thus, by example, assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Nothing else can quite substitute for a few well-chosen, well-timed, sincere words of praise. They’re absolutely free and worth a fortune.
—Sam Walton (1918–92) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
Correction does much, but encouragement does more. Encouragement after censure is as the sun after a shower.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Often we can help each other most by leaving each other alone; at other times we need the hand-grasp and the word of cheer.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
Great minds are to make others great. Their superiority is to be used, not to break the multitude to intellectual vassalage, not to establish over them a spiritual tyranny, but to rouse them from lethargy, and to aid them to judge for themselves.
—William Ellery Channing (1780–1842) American Unitarian Theologian, Poet
Die when I may, I want it said of me by those who know me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower when I thought a flower would grow.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Set your sights high, the higher the better. Expect the most wonderful things to happen, not in the future but right now. Realize that nothing is too good. Allow absolutely nothing to hamper you or hold you up in any way.
—Eileen Caddy (1917–2006) British Spiritual Teacher
I praise loudly. I blame softly.
—Catherine II of Russia (1729–96) Russian Empress
Most of the high spots in our lives come about through encouragement. I don’t care how great, how famous, how successful a man may be, he hungers for applause.
—Unknown
Get around the right people. Associate with positive, goal-oriented people who encourage and inspire you.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind always be at your back
May the sunshine warm upon your face
The rains falls soft upon your fields and until we meet again
May GOD hold you in the palm of his hand.
—Irish Proverb
The pessimist borrows trouble; the optimists lend encouragement.
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
If you treat an individual… as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
No matter what our achievements might be, we think well of ourselves only in rare moments. We need people to bear witness against our inner judge, who keeps book on our shortcomings and transgressions. We need people to convince us that we are not as bad as we think we are.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
Nine tenths of education is encouragement.
—Anatole France (1844–1924) French Novelist
Would you persuade, speak of Interest, not of Reason.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Every blade of grass has its Angel that bends over it and whispers, Grow, Grow”.”
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist
It is more difficult to praise rightly than to blame.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
The spirited horse, which will try to win the race of its own accord, will run even faster if encouraged.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
Faint not; the miles to heaven are but few and short.
—Samuel Rutherford (1600–61) Scottish Theologian, Author
The most powerful and predictable people-builders are praise and encouragement.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
All may do what has by man been done.
—Edward Young (1683–1765) English Poet
There are high spots in all of our lives and most of them have come about through encouragement from someone else. I don’t care how great, how famous or successful a man or woman may be, each hungers for applause.
—George Matthew Adams (1878–1962) American Newspaper Columnist, Founder of Adams Service
Sometimes too much encouragement by others or towards others can bring creativity and spiritual development to a stand still.
—Hans Taeger
A word of encouragement during failure is worth more than a whole book of praises after a success.
—Anonymous
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