---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Begin with praise and honest…"
description: "\"Begin with praise and honest appreciation. Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly. Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other pe..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce5/dale-carnegie-382_appreciation_begin-with-praise-and-honest-appreciatio_2802083.jpg"
---

#  Begin with praise and honest appreciation. Call attention…

![“Begin with praise and honest appreciation. Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly. Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders. Make the fault easy to correct. Make the other person happy about doing what you suggest.” quote by Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce5/dale-carnegie-382_appreciation_begin-with-praise-and-honest-appreciatio_2802083.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce5/dale-carnegie-382_appreciation_begin-with-praise-and-honest-appreciatio_2802083.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce5/dale-carnegie-382_appreciation_begin-with-praise-and-honest-appreciatio_2802083.jpg)

> “Begin with praise and honest appreciation. Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly. Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders. Make the fault easy to correct. Make the other person happy about doing what you suggest.”

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

## About This Quote

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

Use sincere praise, indirect feedback, self‑disclosure, questions, and positive framing to guide others gently.

**In simple terms:** Praise and gentle guidance improve cooperation.

Key Takeaway

Lead with appreciation and subtle correction.

Themes

communication leadership empathy

Mood

encouraging professional

Type

advice motivational

When to use this quote

- team meetings
- customer service
- coaching
- conflict resolution

Key Concepts

psychology influence feedback

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you ensure praise feels genuine?
- When is direct criticism necessary?

A Different Perspective

May be seen as manipulative if insincere.

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## Related quotes

> [Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/talk-about-your-own-mistakes-before-criticizing-the-other-person/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [The world could be a lot better if people correct their own mistakes rather than criticizing others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/the-world-could-be-a-lot-better-if-people-correct-their-own-mistakes/)

[Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/)

> [I'm totally fine with people criticizing me in shows... people like this show, or don't; you're entitled to your opinion. But when people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamera-mowry/i-m-totally-fine-with-people-criticizing-me-in-shows-people-like-this/)

[Tamera Mowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamera-mowry/)

> [“Criticizing a person’s ideas about God and the afterlife is thought to be impolitic in a way that criticizing his ideas about physics or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-harris/criticizing-a-person-s-ideas-about-god-and-the-afterlife-is-thought/)

[Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/)

> [“Talk about your own mistakes before criticising the other person.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/talk-about-your-own-mistakes-before-criticising-the-other-person/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [Merely stating a truth isn't enough. The truth has to be made vivid, interesting, dramatic. You have to use showmanship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/merely-stating-a-truth-isn-t-enough-the-truth-has-to-be-made-vivid/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [criticism is dangerous, because it wounds a person's precious pride, hurt his sense of importace and arouse resentment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/criticism-is-dangerous-because-it-wounds-a-person-s-precious-pride/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [If you want enemies, excel your friends; but if you want friends, let your friends excel you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/if-you-want-enemies-excel-your-friends-but-if-you-want-friends-let/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/give-the-other-person-a-fine-reputation-to-live-up-to/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/be-a-good-listener-encourage-others-to-talk-about-themselves/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [Try honest to see things from the other person's point of view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/try-honest-to-see-things-from-the-other-person-s-point-of-view/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [Stop worrying and start living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/stop-worrying-and-start-living/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [The only way on Earth to influence other people is to talk about what they want and show them how to get it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/the-only-way-on-earth-to-influence-other-people-is-to-talk-about-what/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [Actions speak louder than words, and a smile says, ‘I like you. You make me happy. I am glad to see you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/actions-speak-louder-than-words-and-a-smile-says-i-like-you-you-make/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/use-encouragement-make-the-fault-seem-easy-to-correct/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

## More by Dale Carnegie

> [“When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures bristling with prejudice and motivated by pride and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/when-dealing-with-people-remember-you-are-not-dealing-with-creatures/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [I deal with the obvious. I present, reiterate, and glorify the obvious - because the obvious is what people need to be told.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/i-deal-with-the-obvious-i-present-reiterate-and-glorify-the-obvious/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [You can make more friends in two months by becoming more interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/you-can-make-more-friends-in-two-months-by-becoming-more-interested/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [“The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/the-man-who-goes-farthest-is-generally-the-one-who-is-willing-to-do/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [“Apply the blacksmith's homely principle when you are speaking. If you feel deeply about your subject you will be able to think of little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/apply-the-blacksmith-s-homely-principle-when-you-are-speaking-if-you/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/one-of-the-most-tragic-things-i-know-about-human-nature-is-that-all/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/if-you-can-t-sleep-then-get-up-and-do-something-instead-of-lying/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [I realize now that people are not thinking about you and me or caring what is said about us. They are thinking about themselves-before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/i-realize-now-that-people-are-not-thinking-about-you-and-me-or-caring/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [Those convinced against their will are of the same opinion still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/those-convinced-against-their-will-are-of-the-same-opinion-still/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [Each nation feels superior to other nations. That breeds patriotism - and wars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/each-nation-feels-superior-to-other-nations-that-breeds-patriotism/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [We are gods in the chrysalis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/we-are-gods-in-the-chrysalis/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [If you want to know how to make people shun you and laugh at you behind your back and even despise you, here is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/if-you-want-to-know-how-to-make-people-shun-you-and-laugh-at-you/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [So if you aspire to be a good conversationali st, be an attentive listener. To be interesting, be interested. Ask questions that other persons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/so-if-you-aspire-to-be-a-good-conversationali-st-be-an-attentive/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [...Be grateful for what you have to be thankful for instead of complaining about the little things that annoy you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/be-grateful-for-what-you-have-to-be-thankful-for-instead-of/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [Don't be afraid of enemies who attack you. Be afraid of the friends who flatter you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/don-t-be-afraid-of-enemies-who-attack-you-be-afraid-of-the-friends/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

[Explore all 592 Dale Carnegie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

## More Appreciation quotes

> [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/)

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

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [Time can but make her beauty over again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/time-can-but-make-her-beauty-over-again/)

[William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/)

> [The writings of latter-day prophets clearly teach that the sorrows and sufferings endured by Adam and Eve upon their leaving the Garden of Eden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-k-judd/the-writings-of-latter-day-prophets-clearly-teach-that-the-sorrows/)

Daniel K Judd

> [Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/wine-is-one-of-the-most-civilized-things-in-the-world-and-one-of-the/)

[Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/)

> [A very small percentage of the people in this world will actually experience and live today. So many people will be stuck on another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/a-very-small-percentage-of-the-people-in-this-world-will-actually/)

[Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/)

> [Stop chasing the things you want and embrace all that you already have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-chasing-the-things-you-want-and-embrace-all-that-you-already-have/)

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

> [Appreciation is the purest vibration that exists on the planet today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-hicks/appreciation-is-the-purest-vibration-that-exists-on-the-planet-today/)

[Esther Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-hicks/)

> [“My thank-yous always come out rather labored. I often don't give them at all. People do what they're supposed to do and then wait…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/my-thank-yous-always-come-out-rather-labored-i-often-don-t-give-them/)

[Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/)

> [“Like gratitude, authentic appreciation in the workplace is a realisation that can be nurtured and accessed with daily mindful practice. By and large, people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-dines/like-gratitude-authentic-appreciation-in-the-workplace-is-a/)

[Christopher Dines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-dines/)

> [Think of your mind, your emotions, and your spirit as the ultimate garden. The way to ensure a bountiful, nourishing harvest is to plant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/think-of-your-mind-your-emotions-and-your-spirit-as-the-ultimate/)

[Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/)

> [“Recognize and appreciate little things, and enjoy what Life has to offer”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-nikko-caharian-iii/recognize-and-appreciate-little-things-and-enjoy-what-life-has-to/)

Cesar Nikko Caharian III

> [Men, when it comes to women, value diamonds and put no stock into copper. Diamonds are rare. You can find copper anywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/men-when-it-comes-to-women-value-diamonds-and-put-no-stock-into/)

Enhance Dreams

> [“Everything we perceive to be solid and static is made up of almost entirely empty space.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/everything-we-perceive-to-be-solid-and-static-is-made-up-of-almost/)

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