John Irving Quotes

I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.

I don't know that praise is always a good thing.

I think every human being in the world appreciates being encouraged and acknowledged.

I need what I'm thinking to come out into the world, even if it's a two-word approval, like, "Yeah, I agree," I need that approval so that in the morning I can get up and use that when I go to work. It's a weird version of focusing.

I'm grateful for all the attention because it validates I'm doing something.

Ballplayers, like everyone else, like to get told they did something right.

I've seen fathers criticizing their sons the moment a game's over. Not my dad. It doesn't matter if I threw an interception or a Hail Mary, he always says, 'Good job, son, I'm proud of you.' Then he shakes my hand and gives me a hug. Every time.

Correction does much, but encouragement does more.

When I was 13, I told Henry Winkler I wanted to act. He said, Do it and don't let anyone stand in your way. His validation just made it all the more true. I haven't stopped thanking him since.

An Editor becomes kind of your mother. You expect love and encouragement from an Editor.

The pat on the back, the arm around the shoulder, the praise for what was done right and the sympathetic nod for what wasn't are as much a part of golf as life itself.

A pat on the back, through only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the pants, is miles ahead in results.

No one likes to be criticized.

By patting somebody on the back, a boy or a girl, a professional dancer, male, female, it really makes people feel good and I know it certainly made me feel good.

When you're just starting out, and someone you think is a real storyteller says something good about you, that helps.

Try praising your wife, even if it does frighten her at first.

A pat on the back is only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the pants, but is miles ahead in results.

I'm not a player who needs telling every day in training 'you're brilliant, you're this, you're that'... but it's always nice to hear comments from the manager and people around that you're doing well.

It's great for my confidence getting a letter saying 'All I want from life, Katie, is you and health.'

I never let anyone lose their self-respect and make them wait in my office, or hurt them with my words, thoughts or actions. I give my e-mail address to anyone who seeks me out. I ask them to send me their work, and if I like it, I give them an opportunity.

Don't let that 'mom' word fool y'all... Her being my biggest critic was the best thing for me, actually.

Who is that person that comes around and says, 'You are OK, you are worthy, you are special?' That makes all the difference in the world for many of us. Those are the people we appreciate the most.

I notice the fans' support, it makes me feel well-liked.

Basketball wasn't going particularly well, but in my senior year, I did a play and got a wonderful card from a professor that said, 'I don't know what your plans are after school or if acting is a part of it, but you have something special.' Hearing that from someone who I had so much respect for pointed me in that direction.

Jose Mourinho and I get along well. I've lots of respect for him. He gives me a lot of confidence. After a bad game, he dares to say, 'We have played with 10 today,' but that's it. At moments like that, he leaves me alone.