Famous Quotes about Praise (87 Quotations)

How does it happen, Maecenas, that no one is content with that lot of which he has chosen or which chance has thrown his way, but praises those who follow a different course?

How little praise warms out of a man the good that is in him, as the sneer of contempt which he feels is unjust chill the ardor to excel.

I do believe in praising that which deserves to be praised.

I have believed the best of every man. And find that to believe is enough to make a bad man show him at his best, or even a good man swings his lantern higher.

I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.

I know of no manner of speaking so offensive as that of giving praise, and closing it with an exception.

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.

I like to hear a man talk about himself because then I never hear anything, but good.

I love eulogies. They are the most moving kind of speech because they attempt to pluck meaning from the fog, and on short order, when the emotions are still ragged and raw and susceptible to leaps.

I'm a bit of a P. T. Barnum. I make stars out of everyone.

I've always been a sucker for attention.

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.

If you must strike a man from behind, slap hi on the back.

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.

It is great happiness to be praised of them who are most praiseworthy.

It takes so little to make people happy. Just a touch, If we know how to give it, just a word fitly spoken, a slight readjustment of some bolt or pin or bearing in the delicate machinery of a soul.

Let another praise you and not your own mouth, a stranger and not your own lips.

Many know how to flatter, few know how to praise.

Men sometimes feel injured by praise because it assigns a limit to their merit; few people are modest enough not to take offense that one appreciates them.

Never praise a sister to a sister in the hope of your compliments reaching he proper ears.