“ A wise man may frequently neglect praise, even when he has best deserved it ”
 Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759). copy citation

Context

“Others appear much less anxious about the praise-worthiness than about the praise. No man can be completely, or even tolerably satisfied, with having avoided every thing blame-worthy in his conduct; unless he has likewise avoided the blame or the reproach. A wise man may frequently neglect praise, even when he has best deserved it; but, in all matters of serious consequence, he will most carefully endeavour so to regulate his conduct as to avoid, not only blame-worthiness, but, as much as possible, every probable imputation of blame.” source