The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-24
TIE HOIIE- ITS PROBLEMS <AND INTERESTS
HONEST PRAISE.

Don't praise a person when YOU don't
honestly mean what YOU say No; not
even for the sake OF making them feel
better. BE honest If you don't really
admire. and cannot commend. keep 81
lent
There is a temptation 20 fatter In the
best-hearted OF US. We want 10 praise
for two reasons. One is a generous rea-
son. and the other Is a mean one.
The generous reason is that which is
prompted by our pity, our desire to en-
courage. Somebody Is down-hearteo
We are sorry for them. We will try
TO cheer them up by iattery.
Why. yonr work is good" we say
maybe wondering at the same time just
what their work is--'you are too modest
Cheer upl you do whole lot better than
so and So.
That brings back the smiles. Of course
and those smiles seem to justify US Tor
the exaggerated praise. Yet. self-sat-
isfaction built on false ground canno;
result in better work. and may LEAD 10
disaster. Generous as the impulse was
to flatter. il is a mistaken and some
times even a cruel generosity Much bet
ter 10 have talked over the reasons LOT
discoura cement, TO advise II possible.
The meancr motive which moves US 10
fatter is our desire for self-praise. We
Will scatter compliments broadcast. IN
order that those whose vanity we please
NAV admire US and return the favor.
That is a trick we pay oftener than
we realize. Some people are so suscep-
tible 10 hattery. that, only praise them
enough. and they viii worship us. We
Ike 70 be liked: and so we praise II is
a craven fattery and can bring only
craven adulation whicht will melt away
as som as compliments cease Never
does II bring any return worth the
trouble of lying for. Always it weakens
the value Of any real praise you may
have TO bestow.
Don't plaise when you don't mean it..
That is one side of the question. Here IS
the other:
II there Is a word Of praise you can
sincerely say. for heavens sweet sake.
say it,
Say it before It is too late. There will
come a day when you would give your all
for an opportunity to speak words CT
praise and cannot. because the ear that
you would whisper into is far beyond
the sound of human voices. and the
hand that you would strengthen is put
forever beyond your touch say IL now,
before II is too late.
Praise where you can sincerely do so,
not only to save regret later, but be-
cause II viii do you good now. II broad
ems the heart TO see the good in another.
and to speak OF IL. Look for the good
points, and praise them, as a means Of
developing your own sympathies
And why should you speak a word Of
praise2 Because IL Is needed. All, only
the human heart knows how sorely IL Is
needed. Into a heart grown SICK with
discoura cement. a word of honest COM
mendation comes like n medicine 10 in
Nigorate the whole system
A hearty. You are doing bravely. 7
am proud of YOU" is sometimes all a
man needs TO make him take his hand
off his revolver and turn his back on
the dark river.
Just a little word Of honest praise, It
has put fresh life into tired workers.. Il
has frightened whole day that began
in darkness; IL has radiated out into
circles OF happiness from the heart into
which you dropped IL like a pebble, and
went on your way.
Yes. you went on your way. but the
heart you strengthened remembered you.
and you yourself were made better
Withhold dishonest fiatteTy but where
you see occasion for a word of praise.
say it--and say IL now. You can never
guess the good IL Will do.