“Never fish for praise; it is not worth the bait.”

“When you fish for love, bait with your heart, not your brain.”

Mark Twain (1835–1910) American author and humorist

“The praise of free men is worth having, for it is the only praise which is free from either servility or condescension.”

Bernard Crick (1929–2008) British political theorist and democratic socialist

“I often went fishing up in Maine during the summer. Personally I am very fond of strawberries and cream, but I have found that for some strange reason, fish prefer worms. So when I went fishing, I didn’t think about what I wanted. I thought about what they wanted. I didn't bait the hook with strawberries and cream. Rather, I dangled a worm or grasshopper in front of the fish and said: "Wouldn't you like to have that?"”

Dale Carnegie How to Win Friends and Influence People

“I have twice gone fishing with rod and line just because other boys asked me to, but this sport was soon made impossible for me by the treatment of the worms that were put on the hook for bait, and the wrenching of the mouths of the fishes that were caught. I gave it up, and even found courage enough to dissuade other boys from going.”

Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French-German physician, theologian, musician and philosopher

“Now a bit of praise isn't much to give,
But it's dear to the hearts of all who live;
And there's never a man on this good old earth
But is glad to be told that he's been of worth;
And a kindly word when the work is fair
Is welcomed and wanted everywhere.”

Edgar Guest (1881–1959) American writer

“Never forget that only dead fish swim with the stream.”

Malcolm Muggeridge (1903–1990) English journalist, author, media personality, and satirist

“Good things come to those with bait.”

Ron English (1959) American artist

“Better shun the bait, than struggle in the snare.”

John Dryden (1631–1700) English poet and playwright of the XVIIth century

“Better to shun the bait than struggle in the snare.”

William Blake (1757–1827) English Romantic poet and artist