All censure of a man's self is oblique praise. It is in order to shew how much he can spare.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- When someone criticizes themselves, they are actually praising themselves indirectly.
- In plain terms
- Putting yourself down is a way of boasting.
- What can you take from it?
- Self-criticism can be a humble brag.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do people criticize themselves?
- When is self-criticism humble?
Another view
Some self-criticism is genuine and honest.
More from Samuel Johnson
The insolence of wealth will creep out.
Permalink to quote #168 Wine makes a man more pleased with himself. I do not say that it makes him more pleasing to others.
Permalink to quote #170 It is better to live rich, than to die rich.
Permalink to quote #167
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