Not to be cheered by praise, not to be grieved by blame…
“Not to be cheered by praise, not to be grieved by blame, but to know thoroughly one's own virtues or powers are the characteristics of an excellent man...”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Excellence comes from self‑knowledge of strengths and weaknesses, not from external praise or blame.
In simple terms: Know yourself, not others’ opinions.
Cultivate self‑awareness.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- career growth
- leadership
- personal coaching
- performance evaluation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What inner qualities define your excellence?
- How do you stay grounded amid praise or criticism?
Over‑reliance on external validation can distort self‑perception.