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