Knowing the value of appreciation and confidence， he madewomen feel beautiful by the sheer power of his gallantry andconsideration. He was practical： he raised the salary of chorusgirls from thirty dollars a week to as high as one hundred andseventy-five. And he was also chivalrous； on opening night at theFollies， he sent telegrams to the stars in the cast， and he delugedevery chorus girl in the show with American Beauty roses.
I once succumbed to the fad of fasting and went for six daysand nights without eating. It wasn’t difficult. I was less hungry atthe end of the sixth day than I was at the end of the second. Yet Iknow， as you know， people who would think they had committeda crime if they let their families or employees go for six dayswithout food； but they will let them go for six days， and six weeks， and sometimes sixty years without giving them the heartyappreciation that they crave almost as much as they crave food.
We nourish the bodies of our children and friends andemployees， but how seldom do we nourish their self-esteem？ Weprovide them with roast beef and potatoes to build energy， but weneglect to give them kind words of appreciation that would singin their memories for years like the music of the morning stars.
One of the most neglected virtues of our daily existence isappreciation， Somehow， we neglect to praise our son or daughterwhen he or she brings home a good report card， and we fail toencourage our children when they first succeed in baking a cakeor building a birdhouse. Nothing pleases children more than thiskind of parental interest and approval.
The next time you enjoy filet mignon at the club， send wordto the chef that it was excellently prepared， and when a tiredsalesperson shows you unusual courtesy， please mention it.
Every minister， lecturer and public speaker knows thediscouragement of pouring himself or herself out to an audienceand not receiving a single ripple of appreciative comment. Whatapplies to professionals applies doubly to workers in offices， shopsand factories and our families and friends. In our interpersonalrelations we should never forget that all our associates are humanbeings and hunger for appreciation. It is the legal tender that allsouls enjoy.
Try leaving a friendly trail of little sparks of gratitude on yourdaily trips. You will be surprised how they will set small flames offriendship that will be rose beacons on your next visit.
Hurting people not only does not change them， it is nevercalled for. There is an old saying that I have cut out and pasted onmy mirror where I cannot help but see it every day：
I shall pass this way but once； any good， therefore， that I cando or any kindness that I can show to any human being， let medo it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it， for I shall not pass thisway again.
Emerson said： “Every man I meet is my superior in some way，In that， I learn of him.”
If that was true of Emerson， isn’t it likely to be a thousandtimes more true of you and me？ Let’s cease thinking of ouraccomplishments， our wants. Let’s try to figure out the otherperson’s good points. Then forget flattery. Give honest， sincereappreciation. Be “hearty in your approbation and lavish in yourpraise，” and people will cherish your words and treasure themand repeat them over a lifetime—repeat them years after you haveforgotten them.
PRINCIPLE 2：
Give honest and sincere appreciation.