“ Usually we only praise to be praised. ”
François de La Rochefoucauld, Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665). copy citation
| Author | François de La Rochefoucauld |
|---|---|
| Source | Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims |
| Topic | narcissism praise |
| Date | 1665 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by J. W. Willis Bund |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/9105/9105-h/9105-h.htm |
Context
“The one takes it as the reward of merit, the other bestows it to show his impartiality and knowledge.
145.—We often select envenomed praise which, by a reaction upon those we praise, shows faults we could not have shown by other means.
146.—Usually we only praise to be praised.
147.—Few are sufficiently wise to prefer censure which is useful to praise which is treacherous.
148.—Some reproaches praise; some praises reproach.
["Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer, And, without sneering, teach the rest to sneer."” source
145.—We often select envenomed praise which, by a reaction upon those we praise, shows faults we could not have shown by other means.
146.—Usually we only praise to be praised.
147.—Few are sufficiently wise to prefer censure which is useful to praise which is treacherous.
148.—Some reproaches praise; some praises reproach.
["Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer, And, without sneering, teach the rest to sneer."” source
Original quote
Meaning and analysis
