When we want to say something negative to somebody we say, 'Aww, you're so crazy.'
You're likable enough, Hillary.
Envy honors the dead in order to insult the living.
We often select envenomed praise which, by a reaction upon those we praise, shows faults we could not have shown by other means.
The meanest, most contemptible kind of praise is that which first speaks well of a man, and then qualifies it with a But.
We often make use of envenomed praise, that reveals on the rebound, as it were, defects in those praised which we dare not exposeany other way.
People tend to say, 'You're not as fat or as ugly as I expected.' I never know how to reply. It's a bit of a slap, but they don't mean it, I'm sure.
Many have had their greatness made for them by their enemies.
You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, and that's not saying much for you
Your own gown is most delicately suitable, both to the occasion and to yourself,' to be translated: Your gown is insipid and entirely forgettable. If you wear it on every other occasion this entire season, no one will notice or care.
People want to say something negative before they say something good.
There are a lot of guys in Hollywood who clap you on the back just a little too hard.
A person who says "it's your decision" is informing you that your decision sucks.
Brooklyn praise is half slander.
Of every ten persons who talk about you, nine will say something bad, and the tenth will say something good in a bad way.
A dozen direct censures are easier to bear than one morganatic compliment.
Next time I'll pat you on the freaking back for stating the obvious.
I mean *sigh* Sickening eyes I can tell that you're in touch with your feminine side
The slander of some people is as great a recommendation as the praise of others.
My name don't ever come up unless it's light, a joke, laughs behind it. I'm not saying it's all the way a bad thing, but it's not great.
I know of no manner of speaking so offensive as that of giving praise, and closing it with an exception.
To be hated cordially, is only a left-handed compliment.
Coach Cal really makes you look good.
The movies I've made, I'm really proud of them. But the experience I've had is, people say to me, 'Oh my God, I saw your movie on HBO. It was actually funny.' Like, that's always the experience. It's a backhanded compliment.
They say, "Gee, you look great." That means they thought you looked like hell before.
