There never was a woman who did not prefer an oblique compliment to a straight truth - if the latter read more

There never was a woman who did not prefer an oblique compliment to a straight truth - if the latter were unflattering

Nothing makes people so worthy of compliments as receiving them. One is more delightful for being told one is delightful read more

Nothing makes people so worthy of compliments as receiving them. One is more delightful for being told one is delightful -- just as one is more angry for being told one is angry.

Insults should be written in sand, compliments should be carved in stone

Insults should be written in sand, compliments should be carved in stone

For all their compliments do verses pay? They mayn't, yet these same poems make me gay

For all their compliments do verses pay? They mayn't, yet these same poems make me gay

I think a compliment ought always to precede a complaint, where one is possible, because it softens resentment and insures read more

I think a compliment ought always to precede a complaint, where one is possible, because it softens resentment and insures for the complaint a courteous and gentle reception

I don't like compliments, and I don't see why a man should think he is pleasing a woman enormously when read more

I don't like compliments, and I don't see why a man should think he is pleasing a woman enormously when he says to her a whole heap of things that he doesn't mean

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Next to a sincere compliment, I think I like a well-deserved and honest rebuke

Next to a sincere compliment, I think I like a well-deserved and honest rebuke

To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.

To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.