THE CHALLENGE OF COMPLIMENTING SOMEONE FOR SOMETHING FUNDAMENTAL

'Obviously I have not got through a long life without praising people - their houses, their gardens, their wives, their children, their political opinions, quite often their writing. But though I have liked a lot of people and loved a few, I have never been much good as telling them so, or telling them why. The more my admiration goes out to a man or woman personally, and not to some performance or accomplishment, the harder it is for me to express. The closer I come to fundamental values and beliefs, the closer I come to reticence. It is a more naked act for me to tell someone I am impressed by his principles and his integrity than to say I like his book or his necktie.' 

Wallace Stegner, 'A Letter to Wendell Berry' in Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs, p.207. 

THE PRAISE OF MAN

'Twice in your life you know you are approved of by everyone - when you learn to walk and when you learn to read.'

Penelope Fitzgerald in Alan Jacobs, The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction, p.146.

PRAISE

'...the praise of the praiseworthy is above all rewards...'
JRR Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, p.709.

THE PRAISE OF MEN

'Credit and reputation, in the judgment of the true Christian, stand on ground not very different from riches; which he is not to prize highly, or desire and pursue with solicitude; but which, when they are alloted to him by the hand of Providence, he is to accept with thankfulness, and use with moderation; reliquishing them when it becomes necessary without a murmur; guarding most circumspectly for so long as they remain with him, against that sensual and selfish temper, and no less against that pride and wantoneness of heart, which they are too apt to produce and cherish; thus considering them as in themselves acceptable, but, from the infirmity of his nature, as highly dangerous possessions; and valuing them chiefly not as instruments of luxury or spendor, but as affording the means of honoring his heavenly Benefator, and lessening the miseries of mankind.'

William Wilberforce, A Practical View of Christianity, p.122.

THE PRAISE OF MEN

'...the follower of Christ must not only make up his mind to the occasional relinquishment of wordly favour, but that it should even afford him matter of holy jealousy and suspicion of himself, when it is very lavishly and very generally bestowed.'

William Wilberforce, A Practical View of Christianity, p.121.