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

And touch'd their golden harps, and hymning praised
God and his works.

And touch'd their golden harps, and hymning praised
God and his works.

I praise loudly, I blame softly

I praise loudly, I blame softly

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

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

He who praises everybody, praises nobody.

He who praises everybody, praises nobody.

Delightful praise!--like summer rose,
That brighter in the dew-drop glows,
The bashful maiden's cheek appear'd,
read more

Delightful praise!--like summer rose,
That brighter in the dew-drop glows,
The bashful maiden's cheek appear'd,
For Douglas spoke, and Malcolm heard.

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.

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.

Praise undeserved s satire in disguise.

Praise undeserved s satire in disguise.