William Wycherley Quotes

I know of no manner of speaking so offensive as that of giving praise, and closing it with an exception.

A dozen direct censures are easier to bear than one morganatic compliment.

The meanest, most contemptible kind of praise is that which first speaks well of a man, and then qualifies it with a But.

Reading nice stuff about you is lovely, but I know it's going to be soul-destroying when you do something that everyone is tearing apart.

I think if you want to engage in social media, you must take the good with the bad.

Players like people saying good things about them and, of course, no one is ever wrong when they do that, but they always are when they say bad stuff.

When people you don't know say nice things about you, if you allow yourself, even subconsciously, to attach a shred of meaning to it, when the opposite happens, when people you don't know say bad things about you, you can't attach that same meaning.

From 17 to 19 or 20 I was just getting praise. Then when things aren't going so well you're getting most of the stick and it's hard at such a young age. That's when your confidence goes.

Always praise 'em before you hit 'em.

As for myself, I met with as much success as I ever could have wanted. In other words, I was enthusiastically run-down by every critic of the period.

I'm not a natural criticizer - I prefer to like and praise and so on.

Criticism can never instruct or benefit you. Its chief effect is that of a telegram with dubious news. Praise leaves no glow behind, for it is a writer's habit to remember nothing good of himself. I have usually forgotten those who have admired my work, and seldom anyone who disliked it. Obviously, this is because praise is never enough and censure always too much.

A person who says "it's your decision" is informing you that your decision sucks.

You're likable enough, Hillary.

Lavish praise on people and people will flourish; criticize people and they'll shrivel up.

Do not seek praise. Seek criticism.

We often make use of envenomed praise, that reveals on the rebound, as it were, defects in those praised which we dare not exposeany other way.

According to the dictionary, knock has two definitions: "to strike something with a sharp blow," and "to find fault with, a harsh and often petty criticism." Perhaps in human relationships both of these meanings could apply. Almost all men will respond to sincere praise and rebel at harsh and cutting criticisms.

There are reproaches which praise, and praises which defame.

I don't mind people putting us down, because if everybody really liked us, it would be a bore. You've got to have people putting you down. It doesn't give any edge to it if everybody just falls flat on their face saying, "You're great." We enjoy some of the criticisms as well, they're quite funny; some of the clever criticisms, not the ones that don't know anything, but some of the clever ones are quite fun.

Nothing in this world is harder than speaking the truth, nothing easier than flattery.

I don't buy the hype when everybody is saying how wonderful things are and how great I am, and I don't get too down when people say, "This is a disaster and he's done for."

I am more or less happy when being praised, not very comfortable when being abused, but I have moments of uneasiness when being explained.

Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe, Are lost on hearers that our merits know.

We do not like to praise, and seldom praise anyone without self-interest.