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A refusal of praise is a desire to be praised twice.
Francois De La Rochefoucauld
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Rejecting praise often indicates a deeper desire for affirmation and recognition.

This quote suggests that when someone refuses praise, it may not simply be an act of humility; rather, it could reflect an underlying wish for validation and acknowledgment. The refusal itself can be a way to elicit further praise, highlighting the complex nature of human motivations and the dynamics of social interactions.

Themes

PraiseDesireRecognitionHumilitySocial Dynamics

In practice

Example use cases

During a speech, someone might quote this to address the nature of humility in leadership.

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To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
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