---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Be thou the first true merit to befriend…"
description: "\"Be thou the first true merit to befriend, his praise is lost who stays till all commend.\" — Alexander Pope"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/alexander-pope-235_commend_be-thou-the-first-true-merit-to-befriend_2663627.jpg"
---

#  Be thou the first true merit to befriend, his praise is…

![“Be thou the first true merit to befriend, his praise is lost who stays till all commend.” quote by Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/alexander-pope-235_commend_be-thou-the-first-true-merit-to-befriend_2663627.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/alexander-pope-235_commend_be-thou-the-first-true-merit-to-befriend_2663627.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/alexander-pope-235_commend_be-thou-the-first-true-merit-to-befriend_2663627.jpg)

> “Be thou the first true merit to befriend, his praise is lost who stays till all commend.”

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

True merit is rare; those who seek it may be forgotten if they wait for praise.

**In simple terms:** True merit is rare.

Key Takeaway

Value genuine merit over praise.

Themes

virtue recognition humility

Mood

reflective philosophical

Type

ethical literary

When to use this quote

- career advancement
- artistic creation
- personal relationships

Key Concepts

moral philosophy self‑worth

Questions to Reflect On

- How does seeking merit affect self‑esteem?
- Can merit exist without praise?

A Different Perspective

Risk of neglecting external validation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Dignity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dignity/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/)

## Related quotes

> [“Be thou the first true merit to befriend; His praise is lost, who stays till all commend. Short is the date, alas, of modern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/be-thou-the-first-true-merit-to-befriend-his-praise-is-lost-who-stays/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [The good must merit God's peculiar care; But who but God can tell us who they are?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/the-good-must-merit-god-s-peculiar-care-but-who-but-god-can-tell-us/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-the-soul/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll; charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/beauties-in-vain-their-pretty-eyes-may-roll-charms-strike-the-sight/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe, Are lost on hearers that our merits know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/praise-from-a-friend-or-censure-from-a-foe-are-lost-on-hearers-that/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [Fear not the anger of the wise to raise; Those best can bear reproof who merit praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/fear-not-the-anger-of-the-wise-to-raise-those-best-can-bear-reproof/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [Let sinful bachelors their woes deplore; full well they merit all they feel, and more: unaw by precepts, human or divine, like birds and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/let-sinful-bachelors-their-woes-deplore-full-well-they-merit-all-they/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [Pleasures are all alike simply considered in themselves: he that hunts, or he that governs the commonwealth, they both please themselves alike, only we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-selden/pleasures-are-all-alike-simply-considered-in-themselves-he-that-hunts/)

[John Selden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-selden/)

> [Learn to commend thy daily acts to God, so shall the dry every-day duties of common life be steps to heaven, and lift they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bouverie-pusey/learn-to-commend-thy-daily-acts-to-god-so-shall-the-dry-every-day/)

[Edward Bouverie Pusey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bouverie-pusey/)

> [This is why I belong, and why I believe. I commend to all this same search for happiness and for the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clayton-christensen/this-is-why-i-belong-and-why-i-believe-i-commend-to-all-this-same/)

[Clayton Christensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clayton-christensen/)

> [I commend #AIESEC's continuing efforts to develop the #future #business #leadership of our countries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/i-commend-aiesec-s-continuing-efforts-to-develop-the-future-business/)

[Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/)

> [“Every man wants to be appreciated, so do not just commend your secretary, commend your wife at home too The world judges people by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/every-man-wants-to-be-appreciated-so-do-not-just-commend-your/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [“Reprove thy friend privately: commend him publicly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/reprove-thy-friend-privately-commend-him-publicly/)

[Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/)

> [I commend Sri Chinmoy for his faith and serenity, and I hope he will continue to exert his calming and constructive influence on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/i-commend-sri-chinmoy-for-his-faith-and-serenity-and-i-hope-he-will/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [First at the outset, let me commend the great men and women of the United States Coast Guard for what they do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vito-fossella/first-at-the-outset-let-me-commend-the-great-men-and-women-of-the/)

[Vito Fossella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vito-fossella/)

## More by Alexander Pope

> [How do we know that we have a right to kill creatures that we are so little above, as dogs, for our curiosity or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/how-do-we-know-that-we-have-a-right-to-kill-creatures-that-we-are-so/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [To wake the soul by tender strokes of art, To raise the genius, and to mend the heart; To make mankind, in conscious virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/to-wake-the-soul-by-tender-strokes-of-art-to-raise-the-genius-and-to/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [A mighty maze! But not without a plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/a-mighty-maze-but-not-without-a-plan/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [Let such teach others who themselves excel, And censure freely who have written well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/let-such-teach-others-who-themselves-excel-and-censure-freely-who/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [For I, who hold sage Homer's rule the best, Welcome the coming, speed the going guest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/for-i-who-hold-sage-homer-s-rule-the-best-welcome-the-coming-speed/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [Like following life through creatures you dissect, You lose it in the moment you detect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/like-following-life-through-creatures-you-dissect-you-lose-it-in-the/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [When two people compliment each other with the choice of anything, each of them generally gets that which he likes least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/when-two-people-compliment-each-other-with-the-choice-of-anything/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [Such labour'd nothings, in so strange a style, Amaze th' unlearn'd and make the learned smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/such-labour-d-nothings-in-so-strange-a-style-amaze-th-unlearn-d-and/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-the-soul/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [She went from opera, park, assembly, play, To morning walks, and prayers three hours a day. To part her time 'twixt reading and bohea,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/she-went-from-opera-park-assembly-play-to-morning-walks-and-prayers/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [I am satisfied to trifle away my time, rather than let it stick by me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/i-am-satisfied-to-trifle-away-my-time-rather-than-let-it-stick-by-me/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [The greatest advantage I know of being thought a wit by the world is, that it gives one the greater freedom of playing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/the-greatest-advantage-i-know-of-being-thought-a-wit-by-the-world-is/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [Then say not Man's imperfect,Heav'n in fault; Say rather, Man's as perfect ashe ought:](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/then-say-not-man-s-imperfect-heav-n-in-fault-say-rather-man-s-as/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [First follow Nature, and your judgment frame By her just standard, which is still the same: Unerring nature, still divinely bright, One clear, unchanged,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/first-follow-nature-and-your-judgment-frame-by-her-just-standard/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [Who shall decide when doctors disagree, And soundest casuists doubt, like you and me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/who-shall-decide-when-doctors-disagree-and-soundest-casuists-doubt/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

[Explore all 850 Alexander Pope quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

## More Commend quotes

> [First at the outset, let me commend the great men and women of the United States Coast Guard for what they do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vito-fossella/first-at-the-outset-let-me-commend-the-great-men-and-women-of-the/)

[Vito Fossella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vito-fossella/)

> [I commend Sri Chinmoy for his faith and serenity, and I hope he will continue to exert his calming and constructive influence on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/i-commend-sri-chinmoy-for-his-faith-and-serenity-and-i-hope-he-will/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [“Reprove thy friend privately: commend him publicly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/reprove-thy-friend-privately-commend-him-publicly/)

[Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/)

> [“Every man wants to be appreciated, so do not just commend your secretary, commend your wife at home too The world judges people by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/every-man-wants-to-be-appreciated-so-do-not-just-commend-your/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [I commend #AIESEC's continuing efforts to develop the #future #business #leadership of our countries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/i-commend-aiesec-s-continuing-efforts-to-develop-the-future-business/)

[Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/)

> [This is why I belong, and why I believe. I commend to all this same search for happiness and for the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clayton-christensen/this-is-why-i-belong-and-why-i-believe-i-commend-to-all-this-same/)

[Clayton Christensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clayton-christensen/)

> [Learn to commend thy daily acts to God, so shall the dry every-day duties of common life be steps to heaven, and lift they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bouverie-pusey/learn-to-commend-thy-daily-acts-to-god-so-shall-the-dry-every-day/)

[Edward Bouverie Pusey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bouverie-pusey/)

> [Pleasures are all alike simply considered in themselves: he that hunts, or he that governs the commonwealth, they both please themselves alike, only we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-selden/pleasures-are-all-alike-simply-considered-in-themselves-he-that-hunts/)

[John Selden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-selden/)

> [Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-jane-grey/lord-into-thy-hands-i-commend-my-spirit/)

[Lady Jane Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-jane-grey/)

> [But he whose inborn worth his acts commend, Of gentle soul, to human race a friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/but-he-whose-inborn-worth-his-acts-commend-of-gentle-soul-to-human/)

[Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/)

> [Reprove your friend privately, commend him publicly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/reprove-your-friend-privately-commend-him-publicly/)

[Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/)

> [In buying a horse or taking a wife, shut your eyes tight and commend yourself to God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-buying-a-horse-or-taking-a-wife-shut-your-eyes-tight-and-commend/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Why did you envy? Why you go against me when I got trendy? Why you ain't commend me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/why-did-you-envy-why-you-go-against-me-when-i-got-trendy-why-you-ain/)

[Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/)

> [“Stop tagging everyone into your life's profile. For all you don't know, some will neither comment nor commend you; some may not like or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/stop-tagging-everyone-into-your-life-s-profile-for-all-you-don-t-know/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [Be slow to correct and quick to commend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/be-slow-to-correct-and-quick-to-commend/)

[John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/)

Browse all 63 Commend quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Be thou the first true merit to befriend, his praise is lost who stays till all commend.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Alexander Pope"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/be-thou-the-first-true-merit-to-befriend-his-praise-is-lost-who-stays-2/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Commend"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/be-thou-the-first-true-merit-to-befriend-his-praise-is-lost-who-stays-2/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/alexander-pope-235_commend_be-thou-the-first-true-merit-to-befriend_2663627.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/alexander-pope-235_commend_be-thou-the-first-true-merit-to-befriend_2663627.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb8/alexander-pope-235_commend_be-thou-the-first-true-merit-to-befriend_2663627.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Be thou the first true merit to befriend, his praise is lost who stays till all commend.” — Alexander Pope",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Alexander Pope",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Be thou the first true merit...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/be-thou-the-first-true-merit-to-befriend-his-praise-is-lost-who-stays-2/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/be-thou-the-first-true-merit-to-befriend-his-praise-is-lost-who-stays-2/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```