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

Good people all, with one accord,
Lament for Madame Blaize,
Who never wanted a good word--
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Good people all, with one accord,
Lament for Madame Blaize,
Who never wanted a good word--
From those who spoke her praise.

Praise undeserved is scandal in disguise.

Praise undeserved is scandal in disguise.

When needs he must, yet faintly then he praises;
Somewhat the deed, much more the means he raises:
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When needs he must, yet faintly then he praises;
Somewhat the deed, much more the means he raises:
So marreth what he makes, and praising most, dispraises.

I can live for two months on a good compliment.

I can live for two months on a good compliment.

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.

We are all exited by the love of praise, and the noblest are most
influenced by glory.
[Lat., read more

We are all exited by the love of praise, and the noblest are most
influenced by glory.
[Lat., Trahimur omnes laudis studio, et optimus quisque maxime
gloria ducitur.]

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!

He who praises everybody, praises nobody.

He who praises everybody, praises nobody.