Looks Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“When I was praised I lost my time, for instantly I turned around to look at the work I had thought slightly of, and that day I made nothing new.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Self-Reliance, 1841
Praising oneself distracts from creative work, causing stagnation.
In simple terms: Praise can halt progress.
Key Takeaway
Avoid seeking validation before creation.
Themes
self‑criticism
creativity
productivity
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing
- artistic projects
- academic work
Key Concepts
ego
focus
self‑esteem
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you stay focused after receiving praise?
- Can you separate validation from the process?
A Different Perspective
Creative flow suffers when attention shifts to external approval.
![“There were times when [he] allowed himself to see clearly that he would end his working life, that was to say, his conscious thinking life, in this task, that all his thoughts would have been another man's thoughts, all his work another man's work. And then he thought it did not perhaps matter so…” quote by A.S. Byatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/085/a-s-byatt-5275_another-man_there-were-times-when-he-allowed-himself_2789010.jpg)
![“[The Dalai Lama] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could, and still things get worse in Tibet." If you look at it from one point of view, as he himself says, his monastic position of forbearance and nonviolence hasn't reaped any…” quote by Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9fe/pico-iyer-1252_benefits_the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i_678.jpg)
