Praise. 

Be not concerned that you don’t get any.

But be concerned that you are not acting 

in a praiseworthy way. 

It feels good to be praised. Many people may feel grateful that they didn’t mess up again. Arrogant people may think how perceptive others are to recognize quality when they see it. Wise people may politely murmur “Amituofo” and carry on with what they were doing.

Hopefully, we’re like those wise people because they understand the pitfalls of praise. Compliments are the karmic result for actions done. But they are actually poor returns because wise people aspire to accrue merits, which are permanent, not something transient like compliments.

Understanding this, our question regarding praise becomes not how we can receive it but, rather, how we can act in a manner that would be worthy of praise. And not just from anybody, but from those we respect. Not so they will praise us.

But because their high standards are the benchmarks we use to judge ourselves.