Quotations about:
    praise


Note not all quotations have been tagged, so Search may find additional quotes on this topic.


Many folk like to know beforehand what is to be set on the table; but those who have laboured to prepare the feast like to keep their secret; for wonder makes the words of praise louder.

J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) English writer, fabulist, philologist, academic [John Ronald Reuel Tolkien]
The Lord of the Rings, Vol. 3: The Return of the King, Book 6, ch. 4 “The Steward and the King” [Gandalf] (1955)
    (Source)
 
Added on 6-Sep-11 | Last updated 22-Dec-22
Link to this post | No comments
Topics: , ,
More quotes by Tolkien, J.R.R.

You may set it down as a truth which admits of few exceptions, that those who ask your opinion really want your praise, and will be contented with nothing less.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809-1894) American poet, essayist, scholar
“The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table,” Atlantic Monthly (1858-10)
    (Source)

Collected in The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table, ch. 12 (1858)
 
Added on 14-Sep-10 | Last updated 4-May-23
Link to this post | No comments
Topics: , , , ,
More quotes by Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Sr.

Good words are worth much, and cost little.

George Herbert (1593-1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 155 (1640 ed.)
    (Source)
 
Added on 6-May-10 | Last updated 22-Dec-23
Link to this post | No comments
Topics: , , , ,
More quotes by Herbert, George

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

The Bible (The New Testament) (AD 1st - 2nd C) Christian sacred scripture
Matthew 6:1-6 (NIV)
    (Source)

KJV:  "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. "Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
 
Added on 11-Mar-10 | Last updated 8-Jul-16
Link to this post | 1 comment
Topics: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
More quotes by Bible, vol. 2, New Testament

Excellence is lost sight of in the hunger for sudden performance and praise.

Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet
“Success,” Society and Solitude (1870)
 
Added on 15-Feb-10 | Last updated 19-Feb-22
Link to this post | No comments
Topics: , , , , ,
More quotes by Emerson, Ralph Waldo

Among the smaller duties of life I hardly know any one more important than that of not praising where praise is not due.

Sydney Smith (1771-1845) English clergyman, essayist, wit
Elementary Sketches of Moral Philosophy, Lecture 9 “On the Conduct of Understanding” (1849)
    (Source)

Based on a lecture in a series given at the Royal Institution (1804-1806).
 
Added on 9-Jan-09 | Last updated 14-Nov-23
Link to this post | No comments
Topics: , , , , , ,
More quotes by Smith, Sydney

My mother drew a distinction between achievement and success. She said that achievement is the knowledge that you have studied and worked hard and done the best that is in you. Success is being praised by others, and that’s nice too, but not as important or satisfying. Always aim for achievement and forget about the success.

Helen Hayes (1900-1993) American actress
Reader’s Digest (1958)
 
Added on 1-Feb-04 | Last updated 16-Jun-17
Link to this post | No comments
Topics: , , , , , , , ,
More quotes by Hayes, Helen

Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim of weak ones.

Charles Caleb "C. C." Colton (1780-1832) English cleric, writer, aphorist
Lacon, vol. 1, #422 (1820)
    (Source)
 
Added on 1-Feb-04 | Last updated 12-Nov-19
Link to this post | No comments
Topics: , , , , , ,
More quotes by Colton, Charles Caleb

I praise loudly, I blame softly.

Catherine II (1762-1796) Russian empress [Catherine the Great; b. Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst]
Letter (23 Aug. 1794)
 
Added on 1-Feb-04 | Last updated 12-Jan-16
Link to this post | No comments
Topics: , , , , , ,
More quotes by Catherine II (the Great)

Blame-all and Praise-all are two blockheads.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard (1734 ed.)
    (Source)
 
Added on 1-Feb-04 | Last updated 10-Oct-23
Link to this post | No comments
Topics: , , , ,
More quotes by Franklin, Benjamin