Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe,
Are lost on hearers that our merits know.

Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe,
Are lost on hearers that our merits know.

When needs he must, yet faintly then he praises;
Somewhat the deed, much more the means he raises:
read more

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.

Censure is often useful, praise is often deceitful

Censure is often useful, praise is often deceitful

Earth, with her thousand voices, praises God.

Earth, with her thousand voices, praises God.

Think not those faithful who praise all thy words and actions; but those who kindly reprove thy faults.

Think not those faithful who praise all thy words and actions; but those who kindly reprove thy faults.

I can live for two months on a good compliment.

I can live for two months on a good compliment.

Solid pudding against empty praise.

Solid pudding against empty praise.

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

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

Long open panegyric drags at best,
And praise is only praise when well address'd.

Long open panegyric drags at best,
And praise is only praise when well address'd.