How to Read “Criticize in private and praise in public”
Hisoka ni isame te kō ni home yo
Meaning of “Criticize in private and praise in public”
This proverb teaches that criticism should be given privately, while praise should be given publicly.
When you need to correct someone, do it in a private setting. This protects their pride and dignity. Talk to them one-on-one and speak calmly.
When you recognize someone’s good work or achievements, praise them in front of others. This builds their confidence and sets a positive example for everyone around them.
This principle applies to anyone in a leadership position. Bosses and employees, teachers and students, parents and children—all these relationships benefit from this approach.
Public criticism makes people feel ashamed. They close their hearts and stop listening. But private criticism is easier to accept because it doesn’t damage their reputation.
Public praise does more than just make one person feel good. It sends a clear message to everyone: “This kind of behavior is valued here.” It creates a positive ripple effect throughout the group.
Origin and Etymology
The exact origin of this proverb is debated. However, it likely draws from ancient Chinese philosophy, especially Confucian teachings. It has been passed down as wisdom for those in leadership positions.
The word “isame” (criticize) is an old term. It originally meant pointing out mistakes to someone in authority, like a lord or ruler, to guide them back to the right path.
This wasn’t just criticism—it came from a place of caring. Meanwhile, “praise in public” shows consideration for building someone’s confidence and social standing.
This contrasting approach was highly valued in Japanese samurai society and merchant families. When raising people, reprimands were given privately to protect personal dignity.
Praise was given publicly to benefit not just the individual but everyone watching. This practical wisdom about human relationships has been passed down through generations.
The structure of the phrase itself shows deep understanding of human psychology. It was clearly crafted by people who knew how the human heart works.
Usage Examples
- I discussed my subordinate’s mistake with them individually, but when the project succeeded, I followed the spirit of “Criticize in private and praise in public” and praised them at the company-wide meeting
- In parenting too, scolding one-on-one but praising in front of the whole family is exactly practicing “Criticize in private and praise in public”
Universal Wisdom
This proverb has endured because it touches on universal themes: human dignity and growth. These transcend time and culture.
Everyone has two basic psychological needs. We want recognition from others. We also want to avoid shame. These two drives are fundamental to human nature, unchanged from ancient times to today.
When criticized publicly, people focus on their wounded pride rather than their actual mistake. The shame overwhelms their ability to think rationally. The lesson they should learn never reaches their heart.
But when criticized privately, people have space to honestly face their actions. Our ancestors deeply understood this delicate balance between human defense mechanisms and learning ability.
The power of public praise is equally important. When recognized by others, people confirm their own worth. This gives them motivation to grow even more.
Those watching also learn what behaviors are valued. This creates a chain reaction of positive actions. This proverb is based on profound human understanding.
It teaches that developing people means protecting their hearts while drawing out their potential. This wisdom remains as relevant today as ever.
When AI Hears This
If we view criticism and praise as information, they may contain the same number of “bits.” But the transmission channel dramatically changes how the receiver interprets them.
Public criticism adds massive noise to the original “behavior correction data.” It includes unwanted information about “social status decline.” In information theory, excess noise makes receivers react to the noise instead of the message.
The emotional data “I was humiliated” gets priority processing. The actual improvement information gets discarded. The signal is lost in the noise.
Private praise creates different problems. Without third-party verification, doubt-noise emerges: “Is this really true?” But public praise gains credibility through multiple simultaneous observers.
Signaling theory tells us that costly signals are more believable. Public praise is high-cost because the speaker’s reputation is on the line. This makes it function as a credible signal.
The asymmetry here is fascinating. Criticism only needs one receiver to understand it. But praise propagates to everyone nearby, becoming a social signal: “This person is valued.”
It updates the behavioral standards for the entire organization. This proverb encodes the optimal use of one-to-one versus one-to-many communication channels.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches you that the power to move people depends on how well you understand and respect their hearts.
In the age of social media, everyone is a publisher. It’s tempting to publicly criticize when emotions run high. But this closes people’s hearts and makes constructive dialogue impossible.
At work or at home, when you need improvement from someone, face them one-on-one. Protect their dignity while delivering your message. This is the path to real change.
At the same time, when you see something good, actively share it with others. Your words can become someone’s confidence. They can also inspire everyone around them.
Don’t be embarrassed to praise people. It’s a force that develops individuals and guides entire communities in positive directions.
By practicing this wisdom, you become someone people trust. Thoughtfulness when criticizing, generosity when praising—these two wheels work together.
With both in motion, people grow and relationships deepen. This ancient wisdom offers you a practical tool for building better connections today.
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