--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I believe that you should praise people…" description: "\"I believe that you should praise people whenever you can; it causes them to respond as a thirsty plant responds to water.\" — Mary Kay Ash" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80f/mary-kay-ash-3346_believe_i-believe-that-you-should-praise-people_1138285.jpg" --- # I believe that you should praise people whenever you can… ![“I believe that you should praise people whenever you can; it causes them to respond as a thirsty plant responds to water.” quote by Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80f/mary-kay-ash-3346_believe_i-believe-that-you-should-praise-people_1138285.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80f/mary-kay-ash-3346_believe_i-believe-that-you-should-praise-people_1138285.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80f/mary-kay-ash-3346_believe_i-believe-that-you-should-praise-people_1138285.jpg) > “I believe that you should praise people whenever you can; it causes them to respond as a thirsty plant responds to water.” [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Praising others encourages growth, like water nurtures a thirsty plant. **In simple terms:** Praise fuels growth. Key Takeaway Give sincere praise often. Themes motivation leadership growth Mood encouraging uplifting Type leadership self‑help When to use this quote - team meetings - customer service - coaching sessions Key Concepts positive reinforcement psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can praise be balanced with constructive feedback? - When is praise most effective? A Different Perspective Over‑praise can reduce authenticity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Believe Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-praise-3161028/) [Causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) [I believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-believe/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Plant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plant/) [Plant Responds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plant-responds-3161026/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Praise People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise-people-238712/) [Respond Thirsty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respond-thirsty-3161027/) [Responds Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responds-water-2439336/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Thirsty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thirsty/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) ## Related quotes > [When a drop of water touches a drop of water there is no holding back - it joins. Water responds to water. Your being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-de-ruiter/when-a-drop-of-water-touches-a-drop-of-water-there-is-no-holding-back/) [John de Ruiter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-de-ruiter/) > [We find it easy to believe that praise is sincere: why should anyone lie in telling us the truth?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rostand/we-find-it-easy-to-believe-that-praise-is-sincere-why-should-anyone/) [Jean Rostand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rostand/) > [When someone compliments you, listen, but don't believe it. Praise or blame are immaterial. You know what you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/when-someone-compliments-you-listen-but-don-t-believe-it-praise-or/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“To be truly effective, praise must be legitimate and pointed. Will everyone have good reason to believe this praise is true? What exactly is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-manby/to-be-truly-effective-praise-must-be-legitimate-and-pointed-will/) [Joel Manby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-manby/) > [We are here to bring to consciousness the beauty and power that are around us and to praise the people who are here with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/we-are-here-to-bring-to-consciousness-the-beauty-and-power-that-are/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [“I’ve watched my dad move our family from extreme poverty to extreme wealth and then everywhere in between. Never once did I see or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pearce/i-ve-watched-my-dad-move-our-family-from-extreme-poverty-to-extreme/) [Dan Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-pearce/) > [I don't focus on criticism. I prefer to praise people and the world, rather than criticize them and it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/i-don-t-focus-on-criticism-i-prefer-to-praise-people-and-the-world/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [I don't praise my people. I am their greatest critic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/i-don-t-praise-my-people-i-am-their-greatest-critic/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [I prefer to praise people and the world rather than criticize them and it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/i-prefer-to-praise-people-and-the-world-rather-than-criticize-them/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [Let's cease thinking of our accomplishments, our wants. Let's try to figure out the other man's good points. Then forget flattery. Give honest, sincere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/let-s-cease-thinking-of-our-accomplishments-our-wants-let-s-try-to/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Those who really deserve praise are the people who, while human enough to enjoy power, nevertheless pay more attention to justice than they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/those-who-really-deserve-praise-are-the-people-who-while-human-enough/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) > [People treat the people that's there for them like shit and flush them. But praise the people that use them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daquann-bowers/people-treat-the-people-that-s-there-for-them-like-shit-and-flush/) [DaQuann Bowers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daquann-bowers/) > [We praise people when goes beyond but hate while with us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suman-aakrosh/we-praise-people-when-goes-beyond-but-hate-while-with-us/) [Suman Aakrosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suman-aakrosh/) > [A company is simply a group of people. And as a leader of people, you have to be a great listener, you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/a-company-is-simply-a-group-of-people-and-as-a-leader-of-people-you/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Lavish praise on people and people will flourish; criticize people and they'll shrivel up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/lavish-praise-on-people-and-people-will-flourish-criticize-people-and/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) ## More by Mary Kay Ash > [Sometimes listening itself may not be enough-some people must be prodded if you are to find out what they're thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/sometimes-listening-itself-may-not-be-enough-some-people-must-be/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [I put a lot of emphasis on how to treat people. The reason for this is simple. The real success of our personal lives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/i-put-a-lot-of-emphasis-on-how-to-treat-people-the-reason-for-this-is/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [God does not ask your ability Or your inability. He asks only your availability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/god-does-not-ask-your-ability-or-your-inability-he-asks-only-your/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [My priorities have always been God first, family second, career third. I have found that when I put my life in this order, everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/my-priorities-have-always-been-god-first-family-second-career-third-i/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/if-you-think-you-can-you-can-and-if-you-think-you-can-t-you-re-right/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [Many women have made the mistake of changing their beliefs to accommodate their work; it must be the other way around. No circumstance is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/many-women-have-made-the-mistake-of-changing-their-beliefs-to/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [I've often said that we are doing something far more important than just selling cosmetics; we are changing lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/i-ve-often-said-that-we-are-doing-something-far-more-important-than/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [Everyone wants to be appreciated, so if you appreciate someone, don't keep it a secret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/everyone-wants-to-be-appreciated-so-if-you-appreciate-someone-don-t/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/honesty-is-the-cornerstone-of-all-success-without-which-confidence/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [Individuals sometimes feel insignificant and doubt that one person can really make a difference in this world. Well, believe me, one person can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/individuals-sometimes-feel-insignificant-and-doubt-that-one-person/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [What's interesting about subscribing to a life of giving is that you become addicted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/what-s-interesting-about-subscribing-to-a-life-of-giving-is-that-you/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [God first, family second, career third](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/god-first-family-second-career-third/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [While clothes may not make the woman, they certainly have a strong effect on her self-confidence, which, I believe, does make the woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/while-clothes-may-not-make-the-woman-they-certainly-have-a-strong/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [I have learned to imagine an invisible sign around each person’s neck that says ‘Make me feel important,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/i-have-learned-to-imagine-an-invisible-sign-around-each-person-s-neck/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [God didn't have time to make a nobody, only a somebody.I believe that each of us has God-given talents within us waiting to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/god-didn-t-have-time-to-make-a-nobody-only-a-somebody-i-believe-that/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) [Explore all 133 Mary Kay Ash quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) [Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I believe that you should praise people whenever you can; it causes them to respond as a thirsty plant responds to water.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mary Kay Ash" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/i-believe-that-you-should-praise-people-whenever-you-can-it-causes/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Believe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/i-believe-that-you-should-praise-people-whenever-you-can-it-causes/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80f/mary-kay-ash-3346_believe_i-believe-that-you-should-praise-people_1138285.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80f/mary-kay-ash-3346_believe_i-believe-that-you-should-praise-people_1138285.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80f/mary-kay-ash-3346_believe_i-believe-that-you-should-praise-people_1138285.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I believe that you should praise people whenever you can; it causes them to respond as a thirsty plant…” — Mary Kay Ash", "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": "Mary Kay Ash", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I believe that you should praise...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/i-believe-that-you-should-praise-people-whenever-you-can-it-causes/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/i-believe-that-you-should-praise-people-whenever-you-can-it-causes/#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 } } ] } ```