When Self-praise is Inevitable
- Category: Inner Happiness
- Date 31-10-2025
- 107 views
In his book, ‘Things Fall Apart’, Chinua Achebe tells the story of a proud lizard. It had apparently climbed to the topmost branch of a very tall tree and felt so good. Then it decided to jump to the ground, and it safely landed on the grass. It felt even prouder and expected applause from the creatures around. None came! Thus, Achebe says, "The lizard that jumped from the high iroko tree said he would praise himself if no one else did."
The lizard boasted about what it did. It was not humble. It was arrogant. Society does not approve of bragging. It is considered rude and imprudent to sound pompous. The lizard was expected to hold its peace until a time when others would praise it. Scripture teaches, “Let another person praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips" (Proverbs 27:2).
Precisely, true respect does not come from self-recognition but from the attitude of others towards a person. Some people can praise themselves with ill motives. They can use it to exaggerate personal value, others to deceive about their sacrifices and successes, manipulate public opinion and mislead society. Other people use self-praise to break rules, defraud the public, abuse power and to evade accountability. The scripture further counsels, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 5:6).
In contrast, some people are engaged in businesses that do not bring them to the limelight. Their genuine talents and accomplishments remain hidden from the public eye. Unless someone shouts about their own worth, it might remain unknown, if not misrepresented or downplayed. One may understand one’s own accomplishments better than any other person and, if they do not speak out, no one might. In such situations, therefore, it becomes fair and necessary to sing one’s own praises for others to hear and know. In the story above, the creatures present when the lizard landed on the ground did not praise it probably because they took it for granted and did not understand how it had dared.
In the quiet of their lives, people reach large and small milestones. Some accomplishments are not viewed as meaningful by other people but are significant to the one who attains them. Self-praise is about casting a self-confidence voteas well as celebrating and motivating oneself for furtherendeavours. Moreover, it is not limited to public appreciation; it can also take the form of private and quiet reflections about one’s victories. If it is necessary to broadcast one’s success, it may be inevitable to become one’s own publicist.
The world is not always fair. People are not always looking for those who are doing good to praise or reward them. Sometimes, the world ignores star performers and rewards those who are mediocre. Silence and humility may sometimes cost a person visibility and all its attendant rewards. It may also deny societythe chance to benefit from someone’s competences. Scripture declares, “A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
Self-praise is not about seeking public attention but primarily about revealing one’s unique assets for the benefit of society. It involves understanding that everyone has their own unique set of strengths and that a confluence of unique individuals is what makes the world interesting and diverse. Inevitably, every person must parade their gifts - a candle must be hoisted on the stand.
By Venansio Ahabwe
Author, Teacher, Social Scientist.
Source: Leadership Magazine
Publication Date: September - October 2025