A Quote by W. Somerset Maugham

People ask for criticism, but they only want praise.

W. Somerset Maugham

Quote Topics

Ask Criticism Only People Praise Want

Quote Author

W. Somerset Maugham
British - Novelist
January 25, 1874 - December 16, 1965

People who ask for your criticism want only praise.

W. Somerset Maugham

The way we respond to criticism pretty much depends on the way we respond to praise. If praise humbles us, then criticism will build us up. But if praise inflates us, then criticism will crush us; and both responses lead to our defeat.

Warren W. Wiersbe

I suspect that most authors don't really want criticism, not even constructive criticism. They want straight-out, unabashed, unashamed, fulsome, informed, naked praise, arriving by the shipload every fifteen minutes or so.

Neil Gaiman

If only people fought undeserved praise as much as they do unfair criticism.

Mardy Grothe

Every man needs a blind eye and a deaf ear, so when people applaud, you'll only hear half of it, and when people salute, you'll only see part of it. Believe only half the praise and half the criticism.

Charles Spurgeon

He only profits from praise who values criticism.

Heinrich Heine

Praise is like sunlight to the warm human spirit; we cannot flower and grow without it. And yet, while most of us are only too ready to apply to others the cold wind of criticism, we are somehow reluctant to give our fellow the warm sunshine of praise.

Dale Carnegie

People blush at praise--not only praise of their bodies, but praise of anything that is theirs.

C. S. Lewis

If they want to criticize me, I don't care; I don't mind. But they must criticize me fairly. Usually, the criticism is not fair. Or the praise, even the praise sometimes is not fair.

Bhumibol Adulyadej

I think a lot of women can see themselves in me and a lot of people in general are empowered by seeing someone wear what they want, do what they want, maybe get criticism or get praise, whatever, but still continue to wear and do what they want. I think that a lot of people need that.

Zendaya

Criticism? An artist wants praise. Praise.

Virginia Woolf

People who ask confidently get more than those who are hesitant and uncertain. When you've figured out what you want to ask for, do it with certainty, boldness and confidence. Don't be shy or feel intimidated by the experience. You may face some unexpected criticism, but be prepared for it with confidence.

Jack Canfield

Only praise behavior that you want to be repeated. Never use false praise.

Dean Smith

Neither praise or blame is the object of true criticism. Justly to discriminate, firmly to establish, wisely to prescribe, and honestly to award. These are the true aims and duties of criticism.

William Gilmore Simms

Neither praise nor blame is the object of true criticism. Justly to discriminate, firmly to establish, wisely to prescribe and honestly to award - these are the true aims and duties of criticism.

William Gilmore Simms

I don't focus on criticism. I prefer to praise people and the world, rather than criticize them and it.