--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once you best a man, never gloat. Be…" description: "\"Once you best a man, never gloat. Be generous and find something in his actions to praise. He won't enjoy being bested but he'll make a good face about..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/25f/john-flanagan-904_action_once-you-best-a-man-never-gloat-be-gener_552006.jpg" --- # Once you best a man, never gloat. Be generous and find… ![“Once you best a man, never gloat. Be generous and find something in his actions to praise. He won't enjoy being bested but he'll make a good face about it. Show him you appreciate it. Praise can win you a friend. Gloating will only ever make enemies.” quote by John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/25f/john-flanagan-904_action_once-you-best-a-man-never-gloat-be-gener_552006.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/25f/john-flanagan-904_action_once-you-best-a-man-never-gloat-be-gener_552006.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/25f/john-flanagan-904_action_once-you-best-a-man-never-gloat-be-gener_552006.jpg) > “Once you best a man, never gloat. Be generous and find something in his actions to praise. He won't enjoy being bested but he'll make a good face about it. Show him you appreciate it. Praise can win you a friend. Gloating will only ever make enemies.” [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Winning should be followed by humility; praising others builds goodwill, while gloating creates enemies. **In simple terms:** Be humble and praise. Key Takeaway Show appreciation, avoid arrogance. Themes humility gratitude friendship Mood thoughtful instructive Type motivational ethical When to use this quote - team leadership - peer feedback - conflict mediation - personal mentoring Key Concepts social etiquette leadership development Questions to Reflect On - How do you give genuine praise? - When is it appropriate to acknowledge your own success? A Different Perspective Praise may be perceived as insincere if overused. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Generous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generous/) [Gloating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gloating/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [Winning and losing are both very temporary things. Having done one or the other, you move ahead. Gloating over a victory or sulking over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-knox/winning-and-losing-are-both-very-temporary-things-having-done-one-or/) [Chuck Knox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-knox/) > [Another editor. That thing behind his ear is his pencil. 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He followed this statement with a burst of laughter that showed the owner had done a fair share of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-foglio/now-i-am-in-control-he-followed-this-statement-with-a-burst-of/) [Phil Foglio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-foglio/) > [I'm not gloating over Chad Dawson, he's still the man in my book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-ward/i-m-not-gloating-over-chad-dawson-he-s-still-the-man-in-my-book/) [Andre Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-ward/) ## More by John Flanagan > [What about you three, where are you going?" Even before Halt answered, Will knew what he was going to say. But that didn't make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/what-about-you-three-where-are-you-going-even-before-halt-answered/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“There's a tavern by the docks. He's there most evenings." "Then I'll talk to him tonight," Halt said. "You can try. 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