Some people pay a compliment as if they expected a receipt.

We wish to attract praise to ourselves even as we seem to be praising others.

A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.

CARDS YOU'LL NEVER SEE IN HALLMARK "Looking back over the years that we've been together, I can't help but wonder...What was I thinking?!" "I've always wanted to have someone to hold, someone to love...After having met you, I've changed my mind." "As the days go by, I think of how lucky I am...that you're not here to ruin it for me." "As you grow older, Mom, I think of all the gifts you've given me. Like the need for therapy..." "Thanks for being a part of my life!!!...I never knew what evil was before this!" "Before you go,...I would like you to take this knife out of my back. You'll probably need it again." "You look great for your age...Almost life-like!" "When we were together, you always said you'd die for me...Now that we've broken up, I think it's time you kept your promise." "We have been friends for a very long time...What do you say we call it quits?" "I'm so miserable without you...It's almost like you're here." "You are such a good friend that if we were on a sinking ship and there was only one life jacket...I'd miss you heaps and think of you often."

"DILBERT" CREATOR ON INFLUENCE Scott Adams, creator of the popular "Dilbert" cartoon, tells this story about his beginnings as a cartoonist: You don't have to be a "person of influence" to be influential. In fact, the most influential people in my life probably are not even aware of the things they've taught me. When I was trying to become a syndicated cartoonist, I sent my portfolio to one cartoon editor after another -- and received one rejection after another. One editor even called and suggested that I take art classes. Then Sarah Gillespie, an editor at United Media and one of the real experts in the field, called to offer me a contract. At first, I didn't believe her. I asked if I'd have to change my style, get a partner -- or learn how to draw. But she believed I was already good enough to be a nationally syndicated cartoonist. Her confidence in me completely changed my frame of reference and altered how I thought about my own abilities. This may sound bizarre, but from the minute I got off the phone with her, I could draw better. You can see a marked improvement in the quality of the cartoons I drew after that conversation. James M. Kouzes and Barry Posner, Encouraging The Heart (Jossey-Bass, 1999); submitted by Van Morris, Mount Washington, Kentucky

"You just collect roses, the praise and compliments, during the day; you hold them, put them together in a bouquet, then at the end of the day, you get on your knees and say, 'Here, Father, these were yours all along. I just held them for you." (Stand Firm, Feb. 2004, p. 7)

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."

Boast less. Boost more.

If you treat an individual as he is, he will stay that way, but if you treat him as if he were what he could be, he will become what he could be. -- Goethe

Every man needs one blind eye and one deaf ear so when people applaud, he will hear only half of it, and when people salute, you’ll only see a part of it. -- C. H. Spurgeon Believe only half of the praise and half of the criticism. -- C. H. Spurgeon

Next to physical survival, the greatest need of a human being is psychological survival -- to be understood, to be affirmed, to be validated, to be appreciated.

To see ourselves as others see us is a most salutary gift. Hardly less important is the capacity to see others as they see themselves.

I now perceive one immense omission in my psychology – the deepest principle of Human Nature is the craving to be appreciated. – William James, 1842-1910

Displaying affirmations has always struck me as idiotic; I mean, what if someone who isn't a very nice person comes into your living room? Would you want the next Hitler to read "All the things I want are good" on your living room wall?