--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For if good were not praised more than…" description: "\"For if good were not praised more than ill, None would chuse goodness of his own free will.\" — Edmund Spenser" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf4/edmund-spenser-2090_free-will_for-if-good-were-not-praised-more-than-i_1020800.jpg" --- # For if good were not praised more than ill, None would… ![“For if good were not praised more than ill, None would chuse goodness of his own free will.” quote by Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf4/edmund-spenser-2090_free-will_for-if-good-were-not-praised-more-than-i_1020800.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf4/edmund-spenser-2090_free-will_for-if-good-were-not-praised-more-than-i_1020800.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf4/edmund-spenser-2090_free-will_for-if-good-were-not-praised-more-than-i_1020800.jpg) > “For if good were not praised more than ill, None would chuse goodness of his own free will.” [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If good isn’t praised, people may choose it freely, highlighting the need for recognition. **In simple terms:** Recognition encourages good choices. Key Takeaway Reward goodness to promote it. Themes morality recognition free will Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - education - parenting - workplace incentives - public policy Key Concepts ethics literature Questions to Reflect On - What motivates moral actions? - Is praise necessary for virtue? A Different Perspective People may still choose good without rewards. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Free will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-will/) [Good Praised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-praised-2274640/) [Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Goodness Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness-free-2274638/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Ill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ill/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Praised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praised/) [Praised Ill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praised-ill-2274639/) ## Related quotes > [Who would ever care to do brave deed, Or strive in virtue others to excel, If none should yield him his deserved meed Due…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/who-would-ever-care-to-do-brave-deed-or-strive-in-virtue-others-to/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [Much can they praise the trees so straight and high, The sailing pine,the cedar proud and tall, The vine-prop elm, the poplar never dry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/much-can-they-praise-the-trees-so-straight-and-high-the-sailing-pine/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [I may be wrong, but it seems rare in our age to find a widely praised person whose own mouth is not the source…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giacomo-leopardi/i-may-be-wrong-but-it-seems-rare-in-our-age-to-find-a-widely-praised/) [Giacomo Leopardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giacomo-leopardi/) > [There is nothing which power cannot believe of itself, when it is praised as equal to the gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/there-is-nothing-which-power-cannot-believe-of-itself-when-it-is/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [What is praised is your future - if you can become someone respectable, powerful, rich, intellectual, in some way famous, not just a nobody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-is-praised-is-your-future-if-you-can-become-someone-respectable/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If anything I was probably loved and praised too much as a child. I think that's why I can't accept any compliments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-winkler/if-anything-i-was-probably-loved-and-praised-too-much-as-a-child-i/) [Max Winkler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-winkler/) > [God is the one to be praised, not our transformation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tullian-tchividjian/god-is-the-one-to-be-praised-not-our-transformation/) [Tullian Tchividjian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tullian-tchividjian/) > [“Marker be praised,” said Harmon. And then he added, “Altman be praised.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-k-evenson/marker-be-praised-said-harmon-and-then-he-added-altman-be-praised/) [B.K. Evenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-k-evenson/) > [Usually we praise only to be praised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/usually-we-praise-only-to-be-praised/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [“Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/god/let-the-name-of-the-lord-be-praised-both-now-and-forevermore-from-the/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/god/) > [We are praised or blamed, as the one or the other may be expedient, for displaying to advantage our power of discernment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/we-are-praised-or-blamed-as-the-one-or-the-other-may-be-expedient-for/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [People flourish if they’re praised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/people-flourish-if-they-re-praised/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [What we do is never understood, but always merely praised or blamed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/what-we-do-is-never-understood-but-always-merely-praised-or-blamed/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [If each of us were to confess his most secret desire, the one that inspires all his plans, all his actions, he would say:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/if-each-of-us-were-to-confess-his-most-secret-desire-the-one-that/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [It's very flattering to be praised for each of your efforts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhika-pandit/it-s-very-flattering-to-be-praised-for-each-of-your-efforts/) [Radhika Pandit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhika-pandit/) ## More by Edmund Spenser > [“All this world's glory seemeth vain to me, And all their shows but shadows, saving she.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/all-this-world-s-glory-seemeth-vain-to-me-and-all-their-shows-but/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [The merry cuckow, messenger of Spring, His trumpet shrill hath thrice already sounded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/the-merry-cuckow-messenger-of-spring-his-trumpet-shrill-hath-thrice/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [Much can they praise the trees so straight and high, The sailing pine,the cedar proud and tall, The vine-prop elm, the poplar never dry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/much-can-they-praise-the-trees-so-straight-and-high-the-sailing-pine/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [All flesh doth frailty breed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/all-flesh-doth-frailty-breed/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [“The whiles some one did chaunt this louely lay; Ah see, who so faire thing doest faine to see, In springing flowre the image…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/the-whiles-some-one-did-chaunt-this-louely-lay-ah-see-who-so-faire/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [Fretting grief the enemy of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/fretting-grief-the-enemy-of-life/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [Make haste therefore, sweet love, whilst it is prime, For none can call again the passed time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/make-haste-therefore-sweet-love-whilst-it-is-prime-for-none-can-call/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [In one consort there sat cruel revenge and rancorous despite, disloyal treason and heart-burning hate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/in-one-consort-there-sat-cruel-revenge-and-rancorous-despite-disloyal/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [Good is no good, but if it be spend, God giveth good for none other end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/good-is-no-good-but-if-it-be-spend-god-giveth-good-for-none-other-end/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [“There is nothing lost, but may be found, if sought. (No hay nada perdido, que no pueda encontrarse, si se lo busca)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/there-is-nothing-lost-but-may-be-found-if-sought-no-hay-nada-perdido/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [“It is the mynd, that maketh good or ill, That maketh wretch or happie, rich or poore: For some, that hath abundance at his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/it-is-the-mynd-that-maketh-good-or-ill-that-maketh-wretch-or-happie/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [Sweet breathing Zephyrus did softly play, A gentle spirit, that lightly did delay Hot Titan's beams, which then did glister fair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/sweet-breathing-zephyrus-did-softly-play-a-gentle-spirit-that-lightly/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [I was promised on a time To have reason for my rhyme; From that time unto this season, I received nor rhyme nor reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/i-was-promised-on-a-time-to-have-reason-for-my-rhyme-from-that-time/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [“For love is a celestial harmony Of likely hearts compos'd of stars' concent, Which join together in sweet sympathy, To work each other's joy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/for-love-is-a-celestial-harmony-of-likely-hearts-compos-d-of-stars/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [Sleep after toil, port after stormy seas, Ease after war, death after life does greatly please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/sleep-after-toil-port-after-stormy-seas-ease-after-war-death-after/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) [Explore all 186 Edmund Spenser quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) ## More Free will quotes > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“Failing to meet your true destiny is a tragic act of free will.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthon-st-maarten/failing-to-meet-your-true-destiny-is-a-tragic-act-of-free-will/) [Anthon St. Maarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthon-st-maarten/) > [All theory is against free will; all experience is for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/all-theory-is-against-free-will-all-experience-is-for-it/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Only when he voluntarily chooses that which he inexorably must do, has man any free will at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/only-when-he-voluntarily-chooses-that-which-he-inexorably-must-do-has/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The goal of the Creator is for each entity to make a conscious choice to again seek Oneness, out of our own free will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wilcock/the-goal-of-the-creator-is-for-each-entity-to-make-a-conscious-choice/) [David Wilcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wilcock/) > [“The answer to the question raised in the title of this essay - Is salvation a matter of divine determination or human responsibility? -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/layton-talbert/the-answer-to-the-question-raised-in-the-title-of-this-essay-is/) [Layton Talbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/layton-talbert/) > [“Mastema prefers absolutes. He wants fences on the world and everything in its place, neat and tidy as a churchyard garden. God is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirby-crow/mastema-prefers-absolutes-he-wants-fences-on-the-world-and-everything/) [Kirby Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirby-crow/) > [“There is a big park in the middle of the locality. Surrounded by at least 50 houses. That those residents got to live in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-paula/there-is-a-big-park-in-the-middle-of-the-locality-surrounded-by-at/) [Andy Paula](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-paula/) > [I believe in free will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessa-crispin/i-believe-in-free-will/) [Jessa Crispin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessa-crispin/) > [“Most people live life on the path we set for them. Too afraid to explore any other. But once in a while people like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-adjustment-bureau/most-people-live-life-on-the-path-we-set-for-them-too-afraid-to/) [The Adjustment Bureau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-adjustment-bureau/) > [They either attach themselves to God's will, which results in their continuous progress, improvement and advancement, or they oppose God's will, are justly subjected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-palamas/they-either-attach-themselves-to-god-s-will-which-results-in-their/) [Gregory Palamas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-palamas/) > [I know we can each do something, however small that act may seem to be. We can pay an honest tithe and give our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/i-know-we-can-each-do-something-however-small-that-act-may-seem-to-be/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [“We are built to desire free will and to choose our own destiny. It's not about being right or wrong; it's about the celebration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deiamor-verus/we-are-built-to-desire-free-will-and-to-choose-our-own-destiny-it-s/) [DeiAmor Verus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deiamor-verus/) > [Your true nature doesn't come out. So the gods let you do what you want because free will would be compromised if they showed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarsem-singh/your-true-nature-doesn-t-come-out-so-the-gods-let-you-do-what-you/) [Tarsem Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarsem-singh/) > [“Christianity would be helpless without the idea of free will and the idea of free will would be helpless without incongruity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kedar-joshi/christianity-would-be-helpless-without-the-idea-of-free-will-and-the/) [Kedar Joshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kedar-joshi/) [Browse all 877 Free will quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-will/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "For if good were not praised more than ill, None would chuse goodness of his own free will.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edmund Spenser" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/for-if-good-were-not-praised-more-than-ill-none-would-chuse-goodness/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Free will" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/for-if-good-were-not-praised-more-than-ill-none-would-chuse-goodness/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf4/edmund-spenser-2090_free-will_for-if-good-were-not-praised-more-than-i_1020800.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf4/edmund-spenser-2090_free-will_for-if-good-were-not-praised-more-than-i_1020800.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf4/edmund-spenser-2090_free-will_for-if-good-were-not-praised-more-than-i_1020800.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“For if good were not praised more than ill, None would chuse goodness of his own free will.” — Edmund Spenser", "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": "Edmund Spenser", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "For if good were not praised...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/for-if-good-were-not-praised-more-than-ill-none-would-chuse-goodness/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/for-if-good-were-not-praised-more-than-ill-none-would-chuse-goodness/#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 } } ] } ```