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:
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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.

He was a great patriot, a humanitarian, a loyal friend - provided, of course, that he really is dead.

He was a great patriot, a humanitarian, a loyal friend - provided, of course, that he really is dead.

Praise undeserved is scandal in disguise.

Praise undeserved is scandal in disguise.

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

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

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.

Get someone else to blow your horn and the sound will carry twice as far.

Get someone else to blow your horn and the sound will carry twice as far.

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.

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