“A person places themselves on a level with the ones they praise.”
- August 28, 1749 – March 22, 1832
- German
- Poet, playwright, novelist, philosopher, politician
- His literary works “Faust” and “The Sorrows of Young Werther” had a major impact on world literature.
Quote
“A person places themselves on a level with the ones they praise.”
Explanation
Goethe suggests that when we praise others, we align ourselves with them in a way that reflects our own values and judgment. Praising someone not only acknowledges their worth but also reveals our own standards and character. In a sense, we elevate ourselves to the level of those we admire, showing that we recognize and aspire to the qualities they embody.
Historically, this idea connects to the belief that our actions, including the way we speak about others, reveal much about our inner values. In Goethe’s time, the act of praising was seen as not just an expression of admiration but as an indication of the moral and intellectual framework within which one operates. By praising a virtuous person, for example, one signals a shared appreciation for those virtues, demonstrating personal alignment with those ideals.
In modern contexts, this is still relevant. When we praise individuals for their integrity, creativity, or wisdom, we communicate that we value those same traits. For example, someone who frequently praises leaders like Mahatma Gandhi or thinkers like Albert Einstein is placing themselves in alignment with those figures’ values and vision. The people we choose to admire, and how we express that admiration, often shape how others perceive our own character.
Goethe’s quote reminds us that praise is not just about recognizing the greatness of others but also about revealing the qualities we hold in high regard—and by extension, the type of person we strive to be.
