To what base ends, and by what abject ways,
Are mortals urg'd through sacred lust of praise!

To what base ends, and by what abject ways,
Are mortals urg'd through sacred lust of praise!

A eulogist of past times.
[Lat., Laudator temporis acti.]

A eulogist of past times.
[Lat., Laudator temporis acti.]

Of whom to be disprais'd were no small praise.

Of whom to be disprais'd were no small praise.

Fondly we think we honor merit then, When we but praise ourselves in other men.

Fondly we think we honor merit then, When we but praise ourselves in other men.

You do ill to praise, but worse to censure, what you do not understand

You do ill to praise, but worse to censure, what you do not understand

There is not one wise man in twenty that will praise himself.

There is not one wise man in twenty that will praise himself.

Praise me not too much,
Nor blame me, for thou speakest to the Greeks
Who know me.

Praise me not too much,
Nor blame me, for thou speakest to the Greeks
Who know me.

Join voices, all ye living souls: ye birds,
That singing up to heaven-gate ascend,
Bear on your read more

Join voices, all ye living souls: ye birds,
That singing up to heaven-gate ascend,
Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise.

Censure is often useful, praise is often deceitful

Censure is often useful, praise is often deceitful