This short essay by Francis Bacon focuses on the follies of excessive praise, and the often nefarious motivations behind giving it, in addition to the harmful consequences of freely accepting it. Bacon explores this theme by categorizing different types of praise, and analyzing the implications of the sources of praise. “Praise is the reflection of virtue,” Bacon opens, “but it is as the glass or body, which giveth the reflection.” Praise, therefore, is the vehicle...
This short essay by Francis Bacon focuses on the follies of excessive praise, and the often nefarious motivations behind giving it, in addition to the harmful consequences of freely accepting it. Bacon explores this theme by categorizing different types of praise, and analyzing the implications of the sources of praise. “Praise is the reflection of virtue,” Bacon opens, “but it is as the glass or body, which giveth the reflection.” Praise, therefore, is the vehicle through which we may see how our actions stack up, rather than an honest description in itself. In other words, any praise received should not be taken at face value; the nature of the praise should first be examined. Bacon states that praise from “the common people…is commonly false and naught,” because commoners are impressed by even the most trivial virtues. Whether or not this is objectively true, the fact remains that one must always understand the status of the praise-giver before taking the praise to heart. For example, if you were striving for excellence in oil painting and showed your most recent project to your mother, who is wholly unversed in painting technique or color blending or the subject you have represented, any praise from her would be worth less than praise coming from experts in your field. Such a point is Bacon trying to make here – those who are less experienced with noble virtues will be quick to praise even the most banal virtue presented to them.
In this way fame will elevate those who eat up this meaningless praise, but those who regard it for what it is, and continue to work to earn applause from those with a discerning eye – theirs are the works with lasting power. “There be so many false point of praise,” Bacon writes to this effect, “that a man may justly hold it a suspect.” The common flatterer is easy to identify, and his words should be dismissed. One should also be wary of lickspittles and sycophants, who will utter compliments to rub a person’s ego and get in one’s good graces. Bacon notes, however, that often it comes from a place of honest respect – this is the type that should be reserved for kings and other rulers or “great men,” thus reinforcing those virtues by which these great people may represent the people. Praise can also be used hurtfully, in order to stir up jealousy or animosity toward a person by pompously lauding them at every turn. Bacon stresses that this is inappropriate.
Ultimately, Bacon concludes, moderate praise can be constructive and reap productive consequences, should it be directed toward a person’s station rather than toward a person’s behavior or personality:
Too much magnifying of man or matter, doth irritate contradiction, and procure envy and scorn. To praise a man’s self, cannot be decent, except it be in rare cases; but to praise a man’s office or profession, he may do it with good grace, and with a kind of magnanimity.
Bacon ends with a quote from St. Paul: “when he boasts of himself, he doth oft interlace, I speak like a fool; but speaking of his calling, he saith, magnificabo apostolatum meum.” Praise can be poison when given personally, but given to one’s works it can sustain and effect growth and improvement.
No comments:
Post a Comment