Dale Carnegie Quotes

No compliment can be eloquent, except as an expression of indifference.

Praise is good. Some people over-praise, though. Genuine appreciation is rare to come by.

Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present.

I can't stand girls who laugh at everything I say like I'm the funniest guy in the world. I like girls who tell it like it is, no kissing up to me because I'm on TV.

Public shows of honor are pleasant, but private ones are pleasanter, because they are above suspicion.

I can't seem to say, 'You great big wonderful man, you,' without hamming it up somehow.

I am repelled by those who voice the word 'nature', without having any trace of it in their hearts.

There is nothing in the world more difficult than candor, and nothing easier than flattery. If there is a hundredth of a fraction of a false note to candor, it immediately produces dissonance, and as a result, exposure. But in flattery, even if everything is false down to the last note, it is still pleasant, and people will listen not without pleasure; with coarse pleasure, perhaps, but pleasure nevertheless.

Praise is deeper than the lips

My only real advice to Oscar nominees is, 'If you haven't actually seen a competitor's film, don't fib and say you have and blow smoke up their wahooziewhatsits.' Always best to be frank and tell them the truth.

False praise is worse than no praise.

I am not interested in anything that doesn't have a genuine heart to it. You've got to have soul in the hole. If that isn't there, I don't see the point.

Be sure that you speak with unfeigned lips.

Many know how to flatter, few know how to praise.

I'm not going to just say nice things about everybody unless I mean it.

Sincere words are not fine; fine words are not sincere.

I much prefer a compliment, even if insincere, to sincere criticism.

I don't call you handsome, sir, though I love you most dearly: far too dearly to flatter you. Don't flatter me.

True praise comes often even to the lowly; false praise only to the strong.

People are very sincere in their praise, and you can't take it lightly.

You want me to tell me the truth or do you want me to stroke you?

Since we have to speak well of the dead, let's knock them while they're alive.

I get a lot of people coming up to me and saying, 'I really hate you.' And they say it in the nicest possible way, and I accept it. It's the people who come up to you and say, 'I really liked your character. Man, he was right!' Those are the ones you worry about.

I utter this word with deepest affection and from the very bottom of my heart.

Everything I say comes from my heart - and it's the truth.