Great men Quote by Jean de la Bruyere
“Lofty posts make great men greater still, and small men much smaller.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Les Caractères, 1688
Excessive praise can inflate the powerful and diminish the modest, reinforcing social hierarchies.
In simple terms: Praising the powerful makes them more powerful, and the weak weaker.
Key Takeaway
Be mindful of how you elevate others.
Themes
pride
social hierarchy
ego
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
observational
analytical
When to use this quote
- leadership meetings
- public speaking
- social media commentary
- team recognition
Key Concepts
flattery
status dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does praise affect power dynamics?
- When is humility more effective than flattery?
A Different Perspective
Overpraise may breed complacency or resentment.
![“The court is like a palace built of marble; I mean that it is made up of very hard but very polished people. [Fr., La cour est comme un edifice bati de marbre; je veux dire qu'elle est composee d'hommes fort durs mais fort polis.]” quote by Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fcf/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_built_the-court-is-like-a-palace-built-of-marb_77288.jpg)
