A Quote by Norm MacDonald

If you desire praise or esteem, endeavor to merit it.

Norm MacDonald

Quote Topics

Desire Endeavor Esteem Merit Praise

Quote Author

Norm MacDonald
Canadian - Actor
Born: October 17, 1963

Sweet is the breath of praise when given by those whose own high merit claims the praise they give.

Hannah More

It is oftener by the estimation of our own feelings that we exaggerate the good qualities of others than by their merit, and when we praise them we wish to attract their praise.

Francois de La Rochefoucauld

We esteem in the world those who do not merit our esteem, and neglect persons of true worth; but the world is like the ocean--the pearl is in its depths, the seaweed swims.

George Pope Morris

There is nothing wrong in wanting to get rich. The desire for riches is really the desire for a richer, fuller, and more abundant life, and that desire is praise worthy.

Wallace D. Wattles

We are not fond of praising, and never praise any one except from interested motives. Praise is a clever, concealed, and delicate flattery, which gratifies in different ways the giver and the receiver. The one takes it as a recompense of his merit, and the other bestows it to display his equity and discernment.

Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Honesty is the first chapter in the Book of wisdom. Let it be our endeavor to merit the character of a just nation.

Thomas Jefferson

The desire which urges us to deserve praise strengthens our good qualities, and praise given to wit, valour, and beauty, tends to increase them.

Francois de La Rochefoucauld

To be loved, we should merit but little esteem; all superiority attracts awe and aversion.

Claude Adrien Helvetius

Those are greedy of praise prove that they are poor in merit.

Plutarch

What is required is the finding of that Immovable Point within one's self, which is not shaken by any of those tempests which the Buddhists call 'the eight karmic winds': 1-fear of pain, 2-desire for pleasure; 3-fear of loss; 4-desire for gain; 5-fear of blame, 6-desire for praise; 7-fear of disgrace; [and] 8-desire for fame.