Censure is often useful, praise is often deceitful

Censure is often useful, praise is often deceitful

To what base ends, and by what abject ways,
Are mortals urg'd through sacred lust of praise!

To what base ends, and by what abject ways,
Are mortals urg'd through sacred lust of praise!

Anything in any way beautiful derives its beauty from itself and asks nothing beyond itself. Praise is no part of read more

Anything in any way beautiful derives its beauty from itself and asks nothing beyond itself. Praise is no part of it, for nothing is made worse or better by praise.

He was a great patriot, a humanitarian, a loyal friend - provided, of course, that he really is dead.

He was a great patriot, a humanitarian, a loyal friend - provided, of course, that he really is dead.

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

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

I am pleased to be praised by a man so praised as you, father.
[Words used by Hector.]
read more

I am pleased to be praised by a man so praised as you, father.
[Words used by Hector.]
[Lat., Laetus sum
Laudari me abs te, pater, laudato viro.]

Join voices, all ye living souls: ye birds,
That singing up to heaven-gate ascend,
Bear on your read more

Join voices, all ye living souls: ye birds,
That singing up to heaven-gate ascend,
Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise.

A refusal of praise is a desire to be praised twice.

A refusal of praise is a desire to be praised twice.

That is fine, and I would have praised you more had you praised
me less.
[Fr., Cela est read more

That is fine, and I would have praised you more had you praised
me less.
[Fr., Cela est beau, et je vous louerais davantage si vous
m'aviez loue moins.]