--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Just praise is only a debt, but flattery…" description: "\"Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present. The acknowledgment of those virtues on which conscience congratulates us is a tribute that we ca..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/samuel-johnson-50_acknowledgment_just-praise-is-only-a-debt-but-flattery_2066942.png" --- # Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present. The… ![“Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present. The acknowledgment of those virtues on which conscience congratulates us is a tribute that we can at any tine exact with confidence; but the celebration of those which we only feign, or desire without any vigorous endeavours to attain them, is…” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/samuel-johnson-50_acknowledgment_just-praise-is-only-a-debt-but-flattery_2066942.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/samuel-johnson-50_acknowledgment_just-praise-is-only-a-debt-but-flattery_2066942.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/samuel-johnson-50_acknowledgment_just-praise-is-only-a-debt-but-flattery_2066942.png) > “Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present. The acknowledgment of those virtues on which conscience congratulates us is a tribute that we can at any tine exact with confidence; but the celebration of those which we only feign, or desire without any vigorous endeavours to attain them, is received as a confession of sovereignty over regions never conquered, as a favourable decision of disputable claims, and is more welcome as more gratuitous.” [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True praise acknowledges genuine merit; flattery pretends to honor without substance. **In simple terms:** Real praise rewards merit; flattery is empty. Key Takeaway Give sincere recognition, avoid insincere compliments. Themes praise flattery authenticity integrity Mood reflective analytical Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - performance reviews - team meetings - public speeches - personal relationships Key Concepts genuine acknowledgment social dynamics ego management Questions to Reflect On - When is flattery acceptable? - How can you ensure praise is sincere? A Different Perspective Flattery can be socially useful; authenticity may hurt feelings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acknowledgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acknowledgment/) [Acknowledgment Virtues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acknowledgment-virtues-3971365/) [Celebration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celebration/) [Claims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/claims/) [Confession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confession/) [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Conscience Congratulates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience-congratulates-3971366/) [Debt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debt/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Endeavour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/endeavour/) [Flattery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flattery/) [Just Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just-praise-808755/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Regions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regions/) [Sovereignty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sovereignty/) [Tribute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tribute/) [Vigorous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vigorous/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Virtues Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtues-conscience-3971367/) [Welcome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/welcome/) ## Related quotes > [Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/just-praise-is-only-a-debt-but-flattery-is-a-present/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Anything that is beautiful is beautiful just as it is. Praise forms no part of its beauty, since praise makes things neither better nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/anything-that-is-beautiful-is-beautiful-just-as-it-is-praise-forms-no/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [The round of a passionate man's life is in contracting debts in his passion, which his virtue obliges him to pay. He spends his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-round-of-a-passionate-man-s-life-is-in-contracting-debts-in-his/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“God, I love You for making me suffer like this. It is Your will. You know the best for me. And I just praise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-jeremiah/god-i-love-you-for-making-me-suffer-like-this-it-is-your-will-you/) [David Jeremiah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-jeremiah/) > [Just praise is not enough; you've got to get work to survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/himesh-reshammiya/just-praise-is-not-enough-you-ve-got-to-get-work-to-survive/) [Himesh Reshammiya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/himesh-reshammiya/) > [Of this blest man, let his just praise be given, Heaven was in him, before he was in Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/izaak-walton/of-this-blest-man-let-his-just-praise-be-given-heaven-was-in-him/) [Izaak Walton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/izaak-walton/) > [“No matter what trials or tribulations we go through in life, just go on and praise God anyhow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanessa-miller/no-matter-what-trials-or-tribulations-we-go-through-in-life-just-go/) [Vanessa Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanessa-miller/) > [Don't just praise a guy's achievements. Praise the personality traits that made them possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-hussey/don-t-just-praise-a-guy-s-achievements-praise-the-personality-traits/) [Matthew Hussey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-hussey/) > [“Just praise God like a kid: let whatever is in you come out, right there in the heat of your battle. Praise from your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-law/just-praise-god-like-a-kid-let-whatever-is-in-you-come-out-right/) [Terry Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-law/) > [“Of this blest man, let this just praise be given, Heaven was in him, before he was in heaven."9”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-d-phillips/of-this-blest-man-let-this-just-praise-be-given-heaven-was-in-him/) [Richard D. Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-d-phillips/) > [Many causes may vitiate a writer's judgement of his own works. On that which has cost him much labour he sets a high value,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/many-causes-may-vitiate-a-writer-s-judgement-of-his-own-works-on-that/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/curiosity-is-one-of-the-most-permanent-and-certain-characteristics-of/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The mind is seldom quickened to very vigorous operations but by pain, or the dread of pain. We do not disturb ourselves with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-mind-is-seldom-quickened-to-very-vigorous-operations-but-by-pain/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Irresolution and mutability are often the faults of men whose views are wide, and whose imagination is vigorous and excursive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/irresolution-and-mutability-are-often-the-faults-of-men-whose-views/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect. Every advance into knowledge opens new prospects, and produces new incitements…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/curiosity-is-one-of-the-permanent-and-certain-characteristics-of-a-2/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## More by Samuel Johnson > [The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-size-of-a-man-s-understanding-might-always-be-justly-measured-by/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Pound St. Paul's Church into atoms, and consider any single atom; it is to be sure, good for nothing; but put all these atoms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/pound-st-paul-s-church-into-atoms-and-consider-any-single-atom-it-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [You can never be wise unless you love reading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/you-can-never-be-wise-unless-you-love-reading/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [If our aim is to praise, we should forget to criticize; if our aim is to criticize, we should remember to praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/if-our-aim-is-to-praise-we-should-forget-to-criticize-if-our-aim-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [All theory is against free will; all experience is for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/all-theory-is-against-free-will-all-experience-is-for-it/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Had I learned to fiddle, I should have done nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/had-i-learned-to-fiddle-i-should-have-done-nothing-else/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [It is as foolish to make experiments upon the constancy of a friend, as upon the chastity of a wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-as-foolish-to-make-experiments-upon-the-constancy-of-a-friend/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/resolve-not-to-be-poor-whatever-you-have-spend-less-poverty-is-a/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-basis-of-all-excellence-is-truth-he-that-professes-love-ought-to/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Words are daughters of earth but ideas are sons of heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/words-are-daughters-of-earth-but-ideas-are-sons-of-heaven/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“The composition of Shakespeare is a forest, in which oaks extend in the air, interspersed sometimes with weeds and brambles, and sometimes giving shelting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-composition-of-shakespeare-is-a-forest-in-which-oaks-extend-in/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“The cherubim were never intended as an object of worship, because they were only the appendices to another thing. But a thing is then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-cherubim-were-never-intended-as-an-object-of-worship-because-they/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Nobody has the right to put another under such a difficulty that he must either hurt the person by telling the truth or hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/nobody-has-the-right-to-put-another-under-such-a-difficulty-that-he/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [That kind of life is most happy which affords us most opportunities of gaining our own self-esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/that-kind-of-life-is-most-happy-which-affords-us-most-opportunities/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The time will come to every human being when it must be known how well he can bear to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-time-will-come-to-every-human-being-when-it-must-be-known-how/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) [Explore all 1,998 Samuel Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## More Acknowledgment quotes > [The only significance of life consists in helping to establish the kingdom of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/the-only-significance-of-life-consists-in-helping-to-establish-the/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Every acknowledgment of gratitude is a circumstance of humiliation; and some are found to submit to frequent mortifications of this kind, proclaiming what obligations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/every-acknowledgment-of-gratitude-is-a-circumstance-of-humiliation/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [When we would show any one that he is mistaken, our best course is to observe on what side he considers the subject,--for his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/when-we-would-show-any-one-that-he-is-mistaken-our-best-course-is-to/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [True reconciliation is never cheap, for it is based on forgiveness which is costly. Forgiveness in turn depends on repentance, which has to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/true-reconciliation-is-never-cheap-for-it-is-based-on-forgiveness/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [“Acknowledgment remained absent long-term. She would push to the point of sickness through drinking and activities that made recovery more difficult. She would refuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-winsomer/acknowledgment-remained-absent-long-term-she-would-push-to-the-point/) [Neal Winsomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-winsomer/) > [Few men are so obstinate in their atheism, that a pressing danger will not compel them to acknowledgment of a divine power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/few-men-are-so-obstinate-in-their-atheism-that-a-pressing-danger-will/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [To me, bitterness is the under-arm odor of wishful weakness. It is the graceless acknowledgment of defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/to-me-bitterness-is-the-under-arm-odor-of-wishful-weakness-it-is-the/) [Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/) > [It is a wonderful acknowledgment of what has been a six-year journey to make and release this first film in 'The Lord of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/it-is-a-wonderful-acknowledgment-of-what-has-been-a-six-year-journey/) [Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/) > [There's no praise or acknowledgment paid to women who raise the babies,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gless/there-s-no-praise-or-acknowledgment-paid-to-women-who-raise-the-babies/) [Sharon Gless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gless/) > [The number one goal in resolving a conflict is to make sure both sides maintain their self-esteem. Resolving conflict is rarely about who is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-crum/the-number-one-goal-in-resolving-a-conflict-is-to-make-sure-both/) [Thomas Crum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-crum/) > [With respect to public acknowledgment of religious belief, it is entirely clear from our nation's historical practices that the Establishment Clause permits this disregard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/with-respect-to-public-acknowledgment-of-religious-belief-it-is/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [That acknowledgment of weakness which we make in imploring to be relieved from hunger and from temptation is surely wisely put in our daily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-makepeace-thackeray/that-acknowledgment-of-weakness-which-we-make-in-imploring-to-be/) [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) > [Under the blessings of Divine Providence ... It becomes us in humility to make our devout acknowledgments to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-k-polk/under-the-blessings-of-divine-providence-it-becomes-us-in-humility-to/) [James K. Polk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-k-polk/) > [“words both of acknowledgment and miscellaneous remark. My thanks are due in three quarters. To the Public, for the indulgent ear it has inclined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/words-both-of-acknowledgment-and-miscellaneous-remark-my-thanks-are/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [It is a significant acknowledgment that the way people are watching television is changing and the model is quickly changing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-zucker/it-is-a-significant-acknowledgment-that-the-way-people-are-watching/) [Jeff Zucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-zucker/) [Browse all 119 Acknowledgment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acknowledgment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present. 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