Note, 1. It is a great folly to be extravagant in praising even the
best of our friends and benefactors. It is our duty to give every one
his due praise, to applaud those who excel in knowledge, virtue, and
usefulness, and to acknowledge the kindnesses we have received with
thankfulness; but to do this with a loud voice, rising early in the
morning, to be always harping on this string, in all companies, even to
our friend's face, or so as that he may be sure to hear it, to do it
studiously, as we do that which we rise early to, to magnify the merits
of our friend above measure and with hyperboles, is fulsome, and
nauseous, and savours of hypocrisy and design. Praising men for what
they have done is only to get more out of them; and every body
concludes the parasite hopes to be well paid for his panegyric or
epistle dedicatory. We must not give that praise to our friend which is
due to God only, as some think is intimated in rising early to do it;
for in the morning God is to be praised. We must not make too much
haste to praise men (so some understand it), not cry up men too soon
for their abilities and performances, but let them first be proved;
lest they be lifted up with pride, and laid to sleep in idleness. 2. It
is a greater folly to be fond of being ourselves extravagantly praised.
A wise man rather counts it a curse, and a reflection upon him, not
only designed to pick his pocket, but which may really turn to his
prejudice. Modest praises (as a great man observes) invite such as are
present to add to the commendation, but immodest immoderate praises
tempt them to detract rather, and to censure one that they hear
over-commended. And, besides, over-praising a man makes him the object
of envy; every man puts in for a share of reputation, and therefore
reckons himself injured if another monopolize it or have more given him
than his share. And the greatest danger of all is that it is a
temptation to pride; men are apt to think of themselves above what is
meet when others speak of them above what is meet. See how careful
blessed Paul was not to be over-valued, 2 Cor. xii. 6.