--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To be hated cordially, is only a…" description: "\"To be hated cordially, is only a left-handed compliment.\" — Herman Melville" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f8/herman-melville-162_compliment_to-be-hated-cordially-is-only-a-left-han_299038.jpg" --- # To be hated cordially, is only a left-handed compliment. ![“To be hated cordially, is only a left-handed compliment.” quote by Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f8/herman-melville-162_compliment_to-be-hated-cordially-is-only-a-left-han_299038.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f8/herman-melville-162_compliment_to-be-hated-cordially-is-only-a-left-han_299038.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f8/herman-melville-162_compliment_to-be-hated-cordially-is-only-a-left-han_299038.jpg) > “To be hated cordially, is only a left-handed compliment.” [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A seemingly positive remark that actually hides criticism, showing how praise can be a disguised insult. **In simple terms:** A compliment that is actually an insult. Key Takeaway Recognize hidden criticism. Themes sarcasm communication social dynamics Mood wry critical Type humorous observational When to use this quote - workplace feedback - social media comments - personal relationships Key Concepts flattery indirect criticism tone Questions to Reflect On - Is the speaker being sincere? - How does tone affect meaning? A Different Perspective May be misinterpreted without context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compliment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compliment/) [Cordially](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cordially-1402297/) [Cordially Left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cordially-left-2861783/) [Handed Compliment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/handed-compliment-2037609/) [Hated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hated/) [Hated Cordially](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hated-cordially-2861782/) [Left handed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/left-handed/) ## Related quotes > [“UN-Impressive ‘Compliments’ . . . • When compliments are used as a passive-aggressive way to manipulate others for personal gain. • Delivering a back-handed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/un-impressive-compliments-when-compliments-are-used-as-a-passive/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [I used to think that a guy telling me I'm "not like other girls" was a compliment and I've now flipped to seeing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-prince/i-used-to-think-that-a-guy-telling-me-i-m-not-like-other-girls-was-a/) [Liz Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-prince/) > [“In order not to give myself up to the desire to kill him on the spot, I felt compelled to treat him cordially.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/in-order-not-to-give-myself-up-to-the-desire-to-kill-him-on-the-spot/) [leo tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Their families cordially detested one another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/their-families-cordially-detested-one-another/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“She liked the idea of 'cordially'. It had a rich, a thick and above all an alcoholic sound.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/she-liked-the-idea-of-cordially-it-had-a-rich-a-thick-and-above-all/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you were a man, your ladyship, I would cordially horsewhip you for that remark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deanna-raybourn/if-you-were-a-man-your-ladyship-i-would-cordially-horsewhip-you-for/) [Deanna Raybourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deanna-raybourn/) > [“Although the statistics vary depending upon whom you ask, virtually everyone who is right handed (over 85% of the U.S. population) is left hemisphere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-bolte-taylor/although-the-statistics-vary-depending-upon-whom-you-ask-virtually/) [Jill Bolte Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-bolte-taylor/) > [I'm right-handed, whereas the fellow in my mirror is left-handed. I start shaving from the left; he starts from the right. Differences only in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/i-m-right-handed-whereas-the-fellow-in-my-mirror-is-left-handed-i/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [He's (Rafael Palmeiro) always the left-handed swing you want to copy. He's got a real smooth swing and he's never off balance. He's always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-posada/he-s-rafael-palmeiro-always-the-left-handed-swing-you-want-to-copy-he/) [Jorge Posada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-posada/) > [A good friend is as rare as a left-handed person in a world filled with right-handed people. He simply stands out!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-vj-stoffels/a-good-friend-is-as-rare-as-a-left-handed-person-in-a-world-filled/) [Shane VJ Stoffels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-vj-stoffels/) > [I have recall. I don't know why or how. I had a guy once who said he played against me in novice \[league, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-gretzky/i-have-recall-i-don-t-know-why-or-how-i-had-a-guy-once-who-said-he/) [Wayne Gretzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-gretzky/) > [Two and a half thousand left-handed people are killed every year using things made for right-handed people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-o-farrell/two-and-a-half-thousand-left-handed-people-are-killed-every-year/) [Maggie O'Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-o-farrell/) > [I would say I was jock. I went to Sierra College. I was a big baseball player. Getting into the MLB was my dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-guzman/i-would-say-i-was-jock-i-went-to-sierra-college-i-was-a-big-baseball/) [Ryan Guzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-guzman/) > [Art was always my thing. I had an art scholarship before I had a football scholarship. I'm a left-handed, right-brained, painting-drawing guy. That was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-crews/art-was-always-my-thing-i-had-an-art-scholarship-before-i-had-a/) [Terry Crews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-crews/) > [After all, crime is only a left-handed form of human endeavor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/after-all-crime-is-only-a-left-handed-form-of-human-endeavor/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Herman Melville > [“and man, though idiotic, and knowing not what he does, yet full of the sweet things of love and gratitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/and-man-though-idiotic-and-knowing-not-what-he-does-yet-full-of-the/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“But were the coming narrative to reveal in any instance, the complete abasement of poor Starbuck's fortitude, scarce might I have the heart to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/but-were-the-coming-narrative-to-reveal-in-any-instance-the-complete/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“(On Ralph Waldo Emerson)I love all men who dive. Any fish can swim near the surface, but it takes a great whale to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/on-ralph-waldo-emerson-i-love-all-men-who-dive-any-fish-can-swim-near/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“So seemed it to me, as I stood at her helm, and for long hours silently guided the way of this fire-ship on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/so-seemed-it-to-me-as-i-stood-at-her-helm-and-for-long-hours-silently/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“the only real owner of anything is its commander;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/the-only-real-owner-of-anything-is-its-commander/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Consider the subtleness of the sea; how its most dreaded creatures glide under water, unapparent for the most part, and treacherously hidden beneath the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/consider-the-subtleness-of-the-sea-how-its-most-dreaded-creatures/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Is it that by its indefiniteness it shadows forth the heartless voids and immensities of the universe, and thus stabs us from behind with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/is-it-that-by-its-indefiniteness-it-shadows-forth-the-heartless-voids/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Now, as I before hinted, I have no objection to any person's religion, be it what it may, so long as that person does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/now-as-i-before-hinted-i-have-no-objection-to-any-person-s-religion/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Let America first praise mediocrity even, in her children, before she praises... the best excellence in the children of any other land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/let-america-first-praise-mediocrity-even-in-her-children-before-she/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Only the man who says no is free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/only-the-man-who-says-no-is-free/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Beneath those stars is a universe of gliding monsters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/beneath-those-stars-is-a-universe-of-gliding-monsters/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Yet this is life. For hardly have we mortals by long toilings extracted from this world's vast bulk its small but valuable sperm; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/yet-this-is-life-for-hardly-have-we-mortals-by-long-toilings/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [I never fancied broiling fowls; - though once broiled, judiciously buttered, and judgmatically salted and peppered, there is no one who will speak more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/i-never-fancied-broiling-fowls-though-once-broiled-judiciously/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [War should be carried on like a monsoon; one changeless determination of every particle towards the one unalterable aim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/war-should-be-carried-on-like-a-monsoon-one-changeless-determination/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Genius is full of trash.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/genius-is-full-of-trash/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) [Explore all 1,009 Herman Melville quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) ## More Compliment quotes > [Hot legs, bring your Mother, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-stewart/hot-legs-bring-your-mother-too/) [Rod Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-stewart/) > [I see the joy in life and I see the joy in simple things. I over-compliment. I over-praise. I over-express my feelings toward people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherry-lansing/i-see-the-joy-in-life-and-i-see-the-joy-in-simple-things-i-over/) [Sherry Lansing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherry-lansing/) > [The words I LOVE YOU, sometimes fooled us... But when someone says I TRUST YOU.. That's a better compliment, a true care with faith...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-reolope/the-words-i-love-you-sometimes-fooled-us-but-when-someone-says-i/) [Janet Reolope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-reolope/) > [Sometimes after a compliment about my characterization skills, I'm asked if I model my characters on real people. Emphatically, no. And sort of, yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/sometimes-after-a-compliment-about-my-characterization-skills-i-m/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [I've got the public. I don't care about the critics. I did at one time. I don't any more. I did when I needed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/i-ve-got-the-public-i-don-t-care-about-the-critics-i-did-at-one-time/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [When one is frank, one's very presence is a compliment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-moore/when-one-is-frank-one-s-very-presence-is-a-compliment/) [Marianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-moore/) > [Well, I think every now and again, some people deserve to get their butts chewed. Every now and again some people deserve a pat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/well-i-think-every-now-and-again-some-people-deserve-to-get-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We are searching for the same thing,” Stripey said. “How do you know?” Janco asked. “I read his mind.” The Sitian pointed to Ari.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/we-are-searching-for-the-same-thing-stripey-said-how-do-you-know/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [“Even if you are a pompous ass with no respect for authority, you're worth fifty men, and I mean to see you in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcclellan/even-if-you-are-a-pompous-ass-with-no-respect-for-authority-you-re/) [Brian McClellan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcclellan/) > [You're better off owning 30 percent and having two amazing partners who compliment you and are equally as driven as you are than having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-dyrdek/you-re-better-off-owning-30-percent-and-having-two-amazing-partners/) [Rob Dyrdek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-dyrdek/) > [The three of us just try put our heads down and stay creative. The awards truly are just cake. It's one of those things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-scott/the-three-of-us-just-try-put-our-heads-down-and-stay-creative-the/) [Hillary Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-scott/) > [Your eyes are like two jewels in the sky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/your-eyes-are-like-two-jewels-in-the-sky/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [I've made this conscious decision to tell people on the street when I think they're wearing something great. If more people did that, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-jensen/i-ve-made-this-conscious-decision-to-tell-people-on-the-street-when-i/) [Ashley Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-jensen/) > [“Why did you decide to be an architect?" "I didn't know it then. But it's because I've never believed in God." "Come on, talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/why-did-you-decide-to-be-an-architect-i-didn-t-know-it-then-but-it-s/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [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/) [Browse all 1,338 Compliment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compliment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To be hated cordially, is only a left-handed compliment.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Herman Melville" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/to-be-hated-cordially-is-only-a-left-handed-compliment/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compliment" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/to-be-hated-cordially-is-only-a-left-handed-compliment/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f8/herman-melville-162_compliment_to-be-hated-cordially-is-only-a-left-han_299038.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f8/herman-melville-162_compliment_to-be-hated-cordially-is-only-a-left-han_299038.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f8/herman-melville-162_compliment_to-be-hated-cordially-is-only-a-left-han_299038.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To be hated cordially, is only a left-handed compliment.” — Herman Melville", "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": "Herman Melville", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "To be hated cordially, is only...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/to-be-hated-cordially-is-only-a-left-handed-compliment/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/to-be-hated-cordially-is-only-a-left-handed-compliment/#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 } } ] } ```