Be not too great a niggard in the commendations of him…
“Be not too great a niggard in the commendations of him that professes thy own quality: if he deserve thy praise, thou hast discovered thy judgment; if not, thy modesty: honor either returns or reflects to the giver.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote suggests that praising others reveals our own judgment; modest praise reflects humility, while excessive praise shows vanity.
In simple terms: Praising others shows our judgment; modesty reflects humility.
Judge wisely, praise modestly.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- leadership
- teamwork
- personal relationships
- teaching
- mentoring
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you judge others by your standards?
- How does modesty affect your reputation?
Excessive praise can be insincere and diminish credibility.