Applause Quote by Samuel Johnson
“He that applauds him who does not deserve praise, is endeavoring to deceive the public; he that hisses in malice or sport, is an oppressor and a robber”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Idler, No. 12, 1759
Praising unworthy people deceives the public; malicious criticism also harms society.
In simple terms: Both false praise and harsh criticism damage trust.
Seek honesty and fairness in judgment.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political commentary
- media criticism
- social media moderation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What standards guide your judgments?
- How do you handle bias in evaluation?
True intentions may be hard to discern.