--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I much prefer a compliment, even if…" description: "\"I much prefer a compliment, even if insincere, to sincere criticism.\" — Plautus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f4/plautus-1263_compliment_i-much-prefer-a-compliment-even-if-insin_2604868.jpg" --- # I much prefer a compliment, even if insincere, to sincere… ![“I much prefer a compliment, even if insincere, to sincere criticism.” quote by Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f4/plautus-1263_compliment_i-much-prefer-a-compliment-even-if-insin_2604868.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f4/plautus-1263_compliment_i-much-prefer-a-compliment-even-if-insin_2604868.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f4/plautus-1263_compliment_i-much-prefer-a-compliment-even-if-insin_2604868.jpg) > “I much prefer a compliment, even if insincere, to sincere criticism.” [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A flattering but false compliment can be more comforting than honest criticism. **In simple terms:** Kind lies soothe more than truth. Key Takeaway Balance honesty with empathy. Themes communication truth flattery empathy Mood lighthearted cautious Type humorous inspirational When to use this quote - work reviews - personal feedback - social interactions Key Concepts social dynamics psychology of praise Questions to Reflect On - When is honesty more valuable than comfort? - How can you give constructive feedback kindly? A Different Perspective Excessive flattery may prevent improvement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism/) [Sincere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sincere/) ## Related quotes > [A sincere friend conceals all your deformities, deceives and convince others that you are extremely perfect, the insincere will tell the truth of destruction,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-sincere-friend-conceals-all-your-deformities-deceives-and-convince/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [An insincere critic of a sincere person never wins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/an-insincere-critic-of-a-sincere-person-never-wins/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [If you're sincere, praise is effective. If you're insincere, it's manipulative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-re-sincere-praise-is-effective-if-you-re-insincere-it-s/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [One of the most powerful aspects of service - being different. What is WOW? WOW! is great service! WOW! separates the EXTRAordinary from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gitomer/one-of-the-most-powerful-aspects-of-service-being-different-what-is/) [Jeffrey Gitomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gitomer/) > [Everyone says he's sincere, but everyone isn't sincere. If everyone was sincere who says he's sincere there wouldn't be half so many insincere ones…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/everyone-says-he-s-sincere-but-everyone-isn-t-sincere-if-everyone-was/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [“If you remain ‘insincere’ to one person, then that person will hold you back from going to moksha!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/if-you-remain-insincere-to-one-person-then-that-person-will-hold-you/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [I appreciate a book intended to be judged by its cover. The insincere readers are often weeded out while the sincere readers remain curious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/i-appreciate-a-book-intended-to-be-judged-by-its-cover-the-insincere/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [Belief comes spontaneously as well as by effort. Belief is power. An insincere and uninspired seeker is aware of the truth that belief is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/belief-comes-spontaneously-as-well-as-by-effort-belief-is-power-an/) [Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/) > [Sincerity doesn't mean anything. A person can be sincere and be more destructive than a person who is insincere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-albee/sincerity-doesn-t-mean-anything-a-person-can-be-sincere-and-be-more/) [Edward Albee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-albee/) > [I try to ONLY ridicule people who's efforts are sincere. Very little trouble has been caused in the world by insincere efforts. An occasional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/i-try-to-only-ridicule-people-who-s-efforts-are-sincere-very-little/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Next to a sincere compliment, I think I like a well-deserved and honest rebuke.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-feather/next-to-a-sincere-compliment-i-think-i-like-a-well-deserved-and/) [William Feather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-feather/) > [A sincere compliment is always grateful to a lady, so long as you don't try to knock her down with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/a-sincere-compliment-is-always-grateful-to-a-lady-so-long-as-you-don/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Often small acts of service are all that is required to lift and bless another: a question concerning a person's family, quick words of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/often-small-acts-of-service-are-all-that-is-required-to-lift-and/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Nothing is more effective than sincere, accurate praise, and nothing is more lame than a cookie-cutter compliment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/nothing-is-more-effective-than-sincere-accurate-praise-and-nothing-is/) [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) > [Become abundant with your compliments to others. We're all so fragile, especially when we put on a brave face. A sincere compliment can penetrate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ban-breathnach/become-abundant-with-your-compliments-to-others-we-re-all-so-fragile/) [Sarah Ban Breathnach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ban-breathnach/) ## More by Plautus > [Remind a man of what he remembers, and you will make him forget it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/remind-a-man-of-what-he-remembers-and-you-will-make-him-forget-it/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [Arrogance is the outgrowth of prosperity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/arrogance-is-the-outgrowth-of-prosperity/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [I suspect that hunger was my mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/i-suspect-that-hunger-was-my-mother/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [He is happy in his wisdom who has learned at another's expense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/he-is-happy-in-his-wisdom-who-has-learned-at-another-s-expense/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [He who dies for virtue does not perish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/he-who-dies-for-virtue-does-not-perish/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [The man who would be fully employed should procure a ship or a woman, for no two things produce more trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/the-man-who-would-be-fully-employed-should-procure-a-ship-or-a-woman/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [If you speak insults you will hear them also.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/if-you-speak-insults-you-will-hear-them-also/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [ No man has perpetual good fortune. \[Lat., Nulli est homini perpetuum bonum.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/no-man-has-perpetual-good-fortune-lat-nulli-est-homini-perpetuum-bonum/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [What you lend is lost; when you ask for it back, you may find a friend made an enemy by your kindness. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/what-you-lend-is-lost-when-you-ask-for-it-back-you-may-find-a-friend/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [Things unhoped for happen oftener than things we desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/things-unhoped-for-happen-oftener-than-things-we-desire/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [“Ut saepe summa ingenia in occulto latent (How often the greatest talents are shrouded in obscurity)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/ut-saepe-summa-ingenia-in-occulto-latent-how-often-the-greatest/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [ You little know what a ticklish thing it is to go to law. \[Lat., Nescis tu quam meticulosa res sit ire ad judicem.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/you-little-know-what-a-ticklish-thing-it-is-to-go-to-law-lat-nescis/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [Modesty should accompany youth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/modesty-should-accompany-youth/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [It is wisdom to think upon anything before we execute it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/it-is-wisdom-to-think-upon-anything-before-we-execute-it/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [A woman smells well when she smells of nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/a-woman-smells-well-when-she-smells-of-nothing/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) [Explore all 259 Plautus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) ## More Compliment quotes > [Hot legs, bring your Mother, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-stewart/hot-legs-bring-your-mother-too/) [Rod Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-stewart/) > [I see the joy in life and I see the joy in simple things. I over-compliment. I over-praise. I over-express my feelings toward people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherry-lansing/i-see-the-joy-in-life-and-i-see-the-joy-in-simple-things-i-over/) [Sherry Lansing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherry-lansing/) > [The words I LOVE YOU, sometimes fooled us... But when someone says I TRUST YOU.. That's a better compliment, a true care with faith...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-reolope/the-words-i-love-you-sometimes-fooled-us-but-when-someone-says-i/) [Janet Reolope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-reolope/) > [Sometimes after a compliment about my characterization skills, I'm asked if I model my characters on real people. Emphatically, no. And sort of, yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/sometimes-after-a-compliment-about-my-characterization-skills-i-m/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [I've got the public. I don't care about the critics. I did at one time. I don't any more. I did when I needed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/i-ve-got-the-public-i-don-t-care-about-the-critics-i-did-at-one-time/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [When one is frank, one's very presence is a compliment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-moore/when-one-is-frank-one-s-very-presence-is-a-compliment/) [Marianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-moore/) > [Well, I think every now and again, some people deserve to get their butts chewed. Every now and again some people deserve a pat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/well-i-think-every-now-and-again-some-people-deserve-to-get-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We are searching for the same thing,” Stripey said. “How do you know?” Janco asked. “I read his mind.” The Sitian pointed to Ari.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/we-are-searching-for-the-same-thing-stripey-said-how-do-you-know/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [“Even if you are a pompous ass with no respect for authority, you're worth fifty men, and I mean to see you in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcclellan/even-if-you-are-a-pompous-ass-with-no-respect-for-authority-you-re/) [Brian McClellan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcclellan/) > [You're better off owning 30 percent and having two amazing partners who compliment you and are equally as driven as you are than having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-dyrdek/you-re-better-off-owning-30-percent-and-having-two-amazing-partners/) [Rob Dyrdek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-dyrdek/) > [The three of us just try put our heads down and stay creative. The awards truly are just cake. It's one of those things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-scott/the-three-of-us-just-try-put-our-heads-down-and-stay-creative-the/) [Hillary Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-scott/) > [Your eyes are like two jewels in the sky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/your-eyes-are-like-two-jewels-in-the-sky/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [I've made this conscious decision to tell people on the street when I think they're wearing something great. If more people did that, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-jensen/i-ve-made-this-conscious-decision-to-tell-people-on-the-street-when-i/) [Ashley Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-jensen/) > [“Why did you decide to be an architect?" "I didn't know it then. But it's because I've never believed in God." "Come on, talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/why-did-you-decide-to-be-an-architect-i-didn-t-know-it-then-but-it-s/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [When two people compliment each other with the choice of anything, each of them generally gets that which he likes least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/when-two-people-compliment-each-other-with-the-choice-of-anything/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) Browse all 1,338 Compliment quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I much prefer a compliment, even if insincere, to sincere criticism.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Plautus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/i-much-prefer-a-compliment-even-if-insincere-to-sincere-criticism/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compliment" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/i-much-prefer-a-compliment-even-if-insincere-to-sincere-criticism/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f4/plautus-1263_compliment_i-much-prefer-a-compliment-even-if-insin_2604868.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f4/plautus-1263_compliment_i-much-prefer-a-compliment-even-if-insin_2604868.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f4/plautus-1263_compliment_i-much-prefer-a-compliment-even-if-insin_2604868.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I much prefer a compliment, even if insincere, to sincere criticism.” — Plautus", "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": "Plautus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I much prefer a compliment, even...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/i-much-prefer-a-compliment-even-if-insincere-to-sincere-criticism/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/i-much-prefer-a-compliment-even-if-insincere-to-sincere-criticism/#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 } } ] } ```