I think that giving mindless praise is ridiculous. But I understand why parents do it. They want their kids to feel good about themselves. But parents are never going to teach their children true positive self esteem by praising everything they do.

But this Veterans Day I believe we should do more than sing the praises of the bravery and patriotism that our veterans have embodied in the past. We should take this opportunity to re-evaluate how we are treating our veterans in the present.

Every formula which expresses a law of nature is a hymn of praise to God.

The chief ingredients in the composition of those qualities that gain esteem and praise are good nature truth good sense and good breeding.

There are two things people want more than sex and money... recognition and praise.

Some old men continually praise the time of their youth. In fact you would almost think that there were no fools in their days but unluckily they themselves are left as an example.

The wish to acquire more is admittedly a very natural and common thing and when men succeed in this they are always praised rather than condemned. But when they lack the ability to do so and yet want to acquire more at all costs they deserve condemnation for their mistakes.

The sacrifices made by veterans and their willingness to fight in defense of our nation merit our deep respect and praise - and to the best in benefits and medical care.

Let the master praise him and say 'Here ye do well.' For I assure you there is no such whetstone to sharpen a good wit and encourage a will to learning as is praise.

There is no such whetstone to sharpen a good wit and encourage a will to learning as is praise.

Some of the companies we helped start are names you know. An office supply company called Staples - where I'm pleased to see the Obama campaign has been shopping The Sports Authority which became a favorite of my sons. We started an early childhood learning center called Bright Horizons that First Lady Michelle Obama rightly praised.

A negative judgment gives you more satisfaction than praise provided it smacks of jealousy.

So far as I can remember there is not one word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence.

When we had to do book reports I would pick a book that no one read and just make it up and turn that in. I got praised for my imagination.

It always amuses me that the biggest praise for my work comes for the imagination while the truth is that there's not a single line in all my work that does not have a basis in reality. The problem is that Caribbean reality resembles the wildest imagination.

It is great happiness to be praised of them who are most praiseworthy.

Happiness is within. It has nothing to do with how much applause you get or how many people praise you. Happiness comes when you believe that you have done something truly meaningful.