--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was praised I lost my time, for…" description: "\"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.\" — Ral..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c25/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_looks_when-i-was-praised-i-lost-my-time-for-in_2700505.png" --- # When I was praised I lost my time, for instantly I turned… ![“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.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c25/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_looks_when-i-was-praised-i-lost-my-time-for-in_2700505.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c25/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_looks_when-i-was-praised-i-lost-my-time-for-in_2700505.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c25/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_looks_when-i-was-praised-i-lost-my-time-for-in_2700505.png) > “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.” [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Instantly Turned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instantly-turned-2728945/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost/) [Lost time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost-time/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [My time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-time/) [New day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-day/) [Nothing new](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing-new/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Thought Slightly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-slightly-2728946/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time Instantly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-instantly-2728947/) [Work Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-thought-1691623/) ## Related quotes > [I secretly wondered if Dimitri's problem might be that he was jealous. 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