Literary notes about Compliment (AI summary)
In literature, the word “compliment” has been employed with a range of nuances—from straightforward praise to ironic or even dismissive remarks. For instance, in some works a compliment is a direct expression of esteem, as seen when enthusiastic admiration is conveyed in the face of challenging circumstances ([1], [2]), while in others it is used with a touch of irony or minimalism, as characters deny the need to offer any praise at all ([3], [4]). The term also appears in discussions of etiquette and social rituals, where the exchange of compliments becomes a formal mode of polite interaction ([5], [6]). Moreover, authors have used the word to highlight its layered social functions—serving at times as both genuine accolade and subtle commentary on the dynamics of power and respect ([7], [8]). This varied usage not only enriches character interactions but also provides insight into the societal expectations and cultural contexts of the time.
- I must compliment you exceedingly upon the zeal and the intelligence which you have shown over an extraordinarily difficult case.”
— from The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle - I am positive he appreciated the compliment.
— from Swann's Way by Marcel Proust - I never compliment.
— from Emma by Jane Austen - “Middling, my dear; I cannot compliment you.
— from Emma by Jane Austen - Letters of Enquiry , especially if they request a favor, should contain a few lines of compliment.
— from The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness by Florence Hartley - For compliment, inquiry where there is no intimacy between the parties, from superiors to inferiors, the form is elegant and proper.
— from The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness by Florence Hartley - It is so clever of them, and such a compliment to art.
— from The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - The Deputed have gone, and returned with what highest-flown compliment they could; whom also the Queen met, Dauphin in hand.
— from The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle
