--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Praise leads to weakness. Getting it…" description: "\"Praise leads to weakness. Getting it causes fear, losing it causes fear.\" — Laozi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b0/laozi-147_causes_praise-leads-to-weakness-getting-it-caus_391598.jpg" --- # Praise leads to weakness. Getting it causes fear, losing… ![“Praise leads to weakness. Getting it causes fear, losing it causes fear.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b0/laozi-147_causes_praise-leads-to-weakness-getting-it-caus_391598.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b0/laozi-147_causes_praise-leads-to-weakness-getting-it-caus_391598.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b0/laozi-147_causes_praise-leads-to-weakness-getting-it-caus_391598.jpg) > “Praise leads to weakness. Getting it causes fear, losing it causes 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. Overpraise creates dependency and anxiety; losing praise also triggers fear, weakening resilience. **In simple terms:** Praise breeds fear and weakness. Key Takeaway Seek intrinsic motivation over external approval. Themes confidence psychology vulnerability Mood anxious reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - leadership - personal development - team dynamics Key Concepts dependency fear selfesteem Questions to Reflect On - How do you build self‑worth without praise? - What risks arise from relying on others’ approval? A Different Perspective External validation can be fleeting and unreliable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) [Weakness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weakness/) ## Related quotes > [And what causes fear? 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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/) ## 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. 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