Mortimer Adler Quotes

Esteem must be founded on preference: to hold everyone in high esteem is to esteem nothing.

A man of merit owes himself to the homage of the rest of mankind who recognize his worth.

Next to excellence is the appreciation of it.

May Honor be given to whom Honor may be due.

Goodness makes greatness truly valuable, and greatness make goodness much more serviceable.

Titles of honor are like the impressions on coins, which add no value to gold or silver, but only render brass current.

Ability without honor is useless.

It is so important to get respect for what you do and at the same time give it.

Never respect men merely for their riches, but rather for their philanthropy; we do not value the sun for its height, but for its use.

Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.

To appreciate the noble is a gain which can never be torn from us.

Respect commands itself and can neither be given nor withheld when it is due.

Respect is not ever assigned; it's earned.

He who takes his rank lightly raises his own dignity.

Those only deserve a monument who do not need one.

I want to be given my credit and want to be given my respect.

I appreciate greatness.

The sum of all known value and respect, I add up in you, whoever you are.

Neither do I think that I ever put any dishonour upon you.

Respect a man, he will do it the more.

I suspect that with men like General Petraeus, where honor means something - losing your life is secondary to losing your honor.

Show me the person you honor, for I know better by that the kind of person you are. For you show me what your idea of humanity is.

There is reverence that we owe to everything in human shape.

I am thankful that geniuses and artists and good people, no matter how hard it is, will eventually be recognized. I am doubly thankful that also goes for idiots.

It is in the character of very few men to honor without envy a friend who has prospered.