836. Praise "Men are seldom satisfied with praise introduced or followed by any mention of defect." Johnson: Pope (Lives of the Poets) Link 854. Praise "In the most general applause discordant voices will always be heard." Johnson: Pope (Lives of the Poets) Link 1,018. Identification; Praise; Pride In Work "Every man loves merit of the same kind with his own, when it is not likely to hinder his advancement or his reputation; for he not only best understands the worth of those qualities which he labours to cultivate, or the usefulness of the art which he practises with success, but always feels a reflected pleasure from the praises which, though given to another, belong equally to himself." Johnson: Rambler #99 (February 26, 1751) Link 1,110. Complacency; Diligence; Praise; Success "It frequently happens that applause abates diligence. Whosoever finds himself to have performed more than was demanded will be contented to spare the labour of unnecessary performances, and sit down to enjoy at ease his superfluities of honour. He whom success has made confident of his abilities quickly claims the privilege of negligence, and looks contemptuously on the gradual advances of a rival, whom he imagines himself able to leave behind whenever he shall again summon his force to the contest. But long intervals of pleasure dissipate attention and weaken constancy; nor is it easy for him that has sunk from diligence into sloth to rouse out of his lethargy, to recollect his notions, rekindle his curiosity, and engage with his former ardour in the toils of his study." Johnson: Rambler #111 (April 9, 1751) Link 1,204. Praise "Praise, like gold and diamonds, owes its value only to its scarcity." Johnson: Rambler #136 (July 6, 1751) Link 1,334. Praise "Merit is much more cheaply acknowledged than rewarded." Johnson: Rambler #165 (October 15, 1751) Link 1,447. Action and Inaction; Praise "Praise is so pleasing to the mind of man that it is the original of almost all of our actions." Johnson: Rambler #193 (January 21, 1752) Link 1,448. Praise "A continual feast of commendation is only to be obtained by merit or wealth; many are therefore obliged to content themselves with single morsels, and recompense the infrequency of their enjoyment by excess and riot, whenever fortune sets the banquet before them. Hunger is never delicate; they who are seldom gorged to the full with praise may be safely fed with gross compliments; for the appetite must be satisfied before it is disgusted." Johnson: Rambler #193 (January 21, 1752) Link 1,694. Praise "The applause of a single human being is of great consequence." Boswell: Life of Johnson Link