02/17/2026
“People constantly praise or criticize others, often disguising their real intentions. Since antiquity, simple heuristics have existed to evaluate praise and blame without accepting them blindly. Attention was paid to three things: who is speaking, what relationship connects the speaker and the target, and whether judgment is directed at a person or at an action.
Xenophon quoted the Spartan king Agesilaus, who believed it was equally important to understand both those who praise or blame and those who are praised or blamed. Henry Fielding later captured this asymmetry: slander from some people can be as good a recommendation as praise from others.
✅1. Condemnation by fools is praise. If you are harshly criticized by enemies, opponents, or people you would not want to resemble, you are likely doing something right.
✅2. Praise from people you respect, see as role models, or recognize as experts is usually deserved. As Naevius wrote, praise is pleasant when it comes from those worthy of praise. Cervantes noted that praise is valuable only when the one who praises is worthy. Criticism from such people is often accurate and should be accepted with gratitude.
✅3. If your enemies praise you, you probably made a mistake and began acting in their interests, becoming a “useful idiot.” Their praise encourages you to continue erring.
✅ 4. Consider dependence. If the speaker is financially or otherwise interested, their opinion has little value. This explains why sponsored and independent research often diverge. Praise from someone indebted to you may be mere formality. As Abu al-Faraj noted, the best praise comes from someone to whom you owe nothing.
✅5. Where is praise directed—at a person or an action? Ad hominem praise or blame is meaningless. When discussing actions, focus on intent and results. As Montaigne said, it is the deed that deserves praise, not the person.
These are not universal laws but observations. When you hear praise or blame, recall these points—they often reveal what lies beneath the surface. Much can be learned about a person from what they praise or condemn. As for yourself, act according to your inner values, not external reactions”
Author: Anisa Celeste 🙏🏽
