--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Praise and disgrace cause fear." description: "\"Praise and disgrace cause fear.\" — Laozi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d7/laozi-147_causes_praise-and-disgrace-cause-fear-1814651_1814651.jpg" --- # Praise and disgrace cause fear. ![“Praise and disgrace cause fear.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d7/laozi-147_causes_praise-and-disgrace-cause-fear-1814651_1814651.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d7/laozi-147_causes_praise-and-disgrace-cause-fear-1814651_1814651.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d7/laozi-147_causes_praise-and-disgrace-cause-fear-1814651_1814651.jpg) > “Praise and disgrace cause fear.” [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Both praise and disgrace generate fear, suggesting that external validation or condemnation can destabilize inner peace. **In simple terms:** Praise and disgrace both create fear. Key Takeaway Seek inner stability beyond external opinions. Themes fear validation inner peace Mood philosophical calm Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - leadership - personal growth - public speaking Key Concepts ego social approval Questions to Reflect On - What internal compass guides you? - How can you detach self‑worth from external feedback? A Different Perspective Reliance on others’ judgments can be limiting. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cause Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cause-fear-1114842/) [Causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) [Disgrace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgrace/) [Disgrace Cause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgrace-cause-2142700/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Praise Disgrace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise-disgrace-2142699/) [Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) ## Related quotes > [If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/if-you-are-humble-nothing-will-touch-you-neither-praise-nor-disgrace-3/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [If you are humble, nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-theresa/if-you-are-humble-nothing-will-touch-you-neither-praise-nor-disgrace-2/) [Mother Theresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-theresa/) > [Knowing honor, but clinging to disgrace, you become the valley of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/knowing-honor-but-clinging-to-disgrace-you-become-the-valley-of-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Therefore, the truly great man, although he does not injure others, does not credit himself with charity and mercy (these are natural to him).…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/therefore-the-truly-great-man-although-he-does-not-injure-others-does/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [To bear the country's disgrace is to rule the shrines of soil and grain. To bear the country's misfortunes is to be the king…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/to-bear-the-country-s-disgrace-is-to-rule-the-shrines-of-soil-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Favor and disgrace are like fear. Favor is in a higher place, and disgrace in a lower place. When you win them you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/favor-and-disgrace-are-like-fear-favor-is-in-a-higher-place-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Those who are content suffer no disgrace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/those-who-are-content-suffer-no-disgrace/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He who has achieved this state Is unconcerned with friends and enemies, With good and harm, with honor and disgrace. This therefore is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-who-has-achieved-this-state-is-unconcerned-with-friends-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Fear only the will of God and you will have no cause to fear anyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-ibn-abi-talib/fear-only-the-will-of-god-and-you-will-have-no-cause-to-fear-anyone/) [Ali ibn Abi Talib](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-ibn-abi-talib/) > [We cannot be wise while in the grip of a deep fear. ... This is why demagogues, when seeking our support, will first cause…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-gulley/we-cannot-be-wise-while-in-the-grip-of-a-deep-fear-this-is-why/) [Philip Gulley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-gulley/) > [You have to stop worrying about looking foolish, 'cause fear of being humiliated really limits you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/you-have-to-stop-worrying-about-looking-foolish-cause-fear-of-being/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [Let nothing be done in your life, which will cause you fear if it becomes known to your neighbor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epicurus/let-nothing-be-done-in-your-life-which-will-cause-you-fear-if-it/) [Epicurus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epicurus/) > [“My point is, there is always a cause for fear. The cause may change over time, but the fear is always with us. Before”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/my-point-is-there-is-always-a-cause-for-fear-the-cause-may-change/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/action-is-a-great-restorer-and-builder-of-confidence-inaction-is-not/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [“If I let you, you would make me destroy myself. in order to survive you, I must first survive myself. I can sink no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-james-keenan/if-i-let-you-you-would-make-me-destroy-myself-in-order-to-survive-you/) [Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/) ## More by Laozi > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-is-a-good-man-but-a-bad-man-s-teacher-what-is-a-bad-man-but-a/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Explore all 1,140 Laozi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## More Causes quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-pray-that-wherever-we-are-and-whatever-duties-we-have-in-the/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. 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