"Praise is warming and desirable. But it is an earned thing. It has to be deserved, like a hug from a child"

Phyllis McGinley's quote, "Praise is warming and desirable. However it is a made thing. It has to be should have, like a hug from a child", wonderfully encapsulates the intrinsic value and credibility of authentic appreciation. The quote recommends that while praise is naturally positive and desired, akin to how heat is soothing, it is not something that ought to be offered frivolously or without merit. This point of view highlights the value of credibility over shallow positivity.

The very first part of the quote acknowledges the generally enticing nature of appreciation. It is described as "warming", conjuring up a sense of convenience and approval you feel when receiving authentic recommendation. Appreciation can improve confidence and verify one's efforts, similar to how warmth can revitalize and energize.

However, McGinley does not stop at acknowledging the advantages of praise; she explains its conditional nature by asserting that it is an "made thing". This implies that real praise must be a result of real effort, achievement, or virtue. It must reflect an acknowledgment of something really deserving rather than being given easily without consideration of benefit.

The contrast of deserving appreciation to "a hug from a child" adds another layer of significance. A child's hug is often viewed as pure, sincere, and provided without ulterior motives. It's a gesture that is both easy and profound, signifying unconditional love and trust that is challenging to earn. This analogy underlines that much like a child's hug, real appreciation needs to emerge from a sincere acknowledgment of worth and effort.

In essence, McGinley is promoting for sincerity and discernment in our interactions, stressing the profound impact that well-earned praise can have. It is a tip that the truest types of appreciation are those most thoughtfully given.