Neither human applause nor human censure is to be taken as the test of truth; but either should set us upon testing ourselves.
—Richard Whately (1787–1863) English Philosopher, Theologian
A man’s first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart; his next, to escape the censures of the world. If the last interferes with the former, it ought to be entirely neglected; but otherwise there cannot be a greater satisfaction to an honest mind, than to see those approbations which it gives itself, seconded by the applauses of the public. A man is more sure of his conduct, when the verdict which he passes upon his own behavior is thus warranted and confirmed by the opinion of all that know him.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
A slowness to applaud betrays a cold temper or an envious spirit.
—Hannah More
The person who seeks all their applause from outside has their happiness in another’s keeping .
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
Praise from the common people is generally false, and rather follows the vain than the virtuous.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim of weak ones.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
We must not always judge of the generality of the opinion by the noise of the acclamation.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
To receive applause for works which do not demand all our powers hinders our advance towards a perfecting of our spirit. It usually means that thereafter we stand still.
—Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742–99) German Philosopher, Physicist
In the vain laughter of folly, wisdom hears half its applause.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Expressions of disapproval are on a level of vulgarity that cannot be tolerated. The way to express disapproval is to do without applause.
—Rudolf Bing
When the million applaud you, seriously ask what harm you have done; when they censure you, what good!
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
The silence that accepts merit as the most natural thing in the world is the highest applause.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
If you achieve success, you will get applause, and if you get applause, you will hear it. My advice to you concerning applause is this; enjoy it but never quite believe it.
—Robert Montgomery (1904–81) American Film, Television Actor, Director, Producer
The envious die not once, but as oft as the envied win applause.
—Baltasar Gracian (1601–58) Spanish Scholar, Prose Writer
One gains universal applause who mingles the useful with the agreeable, at once delighting and instructing the reader.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
In the silence of night I have often wished for just a few words of love from one man, rather than the applause of thousands of people.
—Judy Garland (1922–69) American Actress, Singer
A vain man can never be utterly ruthless: he wants to win applause and therefore he accommodates himself to others
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Great minds had rather deserve contemporaneous applause, without obtaining it, than obtain, without deserving it; if it follow them, it is well, but they will not deviate to follow it. With inferior minds the reverse is observable.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
O popular applause! what heart of man is proof against thy sweet seducing charms? The wisest and the best feel urgent need of all their caution in thy gentlest gales; but swell’d into a gust—who then, alas! with all his canvas set, and inexpert, and therefore heedless, can withstand thy power?
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
Applause waits on success.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Applause that comes thundering with such force you might think the audience merely suffers the music as an excuse for its ovations.
—Greil Marcus (b.1945) American Music Journalist, Cultural Critic
They named it Ovation from the Latin ovis
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
Any man who makes a speech more than six times a year is bound to repeat himself, not because he has little to say, but because he wants applause and the old stuff gets it
—William Feather (1889–1981) American Publisher, Author
Evil report carries further than any applause
—Baltasar Gracian (1601–58) Spanish Scholar, Prose Writer
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