“Praise
the invisible sun burning beyond
the white cold sky, giving us
light and the chimney's shadow.”
Denise Levertov (1923–1997) Poet
Mass for the Day of St. Thomas Didymus (1981); Online excerpt http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16007
The Shared Patio (2005)
Context: Do you have doubts about life? Are you unsure if it is really worth the trouble? Look at the sky: that is for you. Look at each person's face as you pass them on the street: those faces are for you. And the street itself, and the ground under the street, and the ball of fire underneath the ground: all these things are for you. They are as much for you as they are for other people. Remember this when you wake up in the morning and think you have nothing. Stand up and face the east. Now praise the sky and praise the light within each person under the sky. It's okay to be unsure. But praise, praise, praise.
“Praise
the invisible sun burning beyond
the white cold sky, giving us
light and the chimney's shadow.”
Denise Levertov (1923–1997) Poet
Mass for the Day of St. Thomas Didymus (1981); Online excerpt http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16007
“Usually we only praise to be praised.”
François de La Rochefoucauld book Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
On ne loue d'ordinaire que pour être loué.
Maxim 146.
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665–1678)
“He who praises everybody praises nobody.”
Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) English writer
Johnson's Works (1787), vol. XI, p. 216; This set included the Life of Samuel Johnson by Sir John Hawkins
“Some condemnations praise; some praise damns.”
François de La Rochefoucauld book Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
Il y a des reproches qui louent et des louanges qui médisent.
Maxim 148.
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665–1678)
“The refusal of praise is only the wish to be praised twice.”
François de La Rochefoucauld book Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims
Le refus des louanges est un désir d'être loué deux fois.
Maxim 149.
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665–1678)
Walt Whitman (1819–1892) American poet, essayist and journalist
Memories of President Lincoln, 14
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919)
“Praise your friends, and let your friends praise you.”
James Burgh (1714–1775) British politician
The Dignity of Human Nature (1754)