When Abraham Lincoln died from that gunshot wound more than 150 years ago, he was carrying a number of things in his pockets. Inside his brown leather wallet was a Confederate five-dollar bill and as many as nine newspaper clippings, which contained complimentary things to say about the 
President who had just endured a very tough re-election campaign. Think about that. He was not carrying these clippings to stroke his ego; Lincoln was not that kind of guy. He was carrying these clippings with him to help reassure him and cheer him up.
The President of the United States needed to be encouraged and feel appreciated. We all need to be encouraged and feel appreciated! A gracious compliment can go a long way! “A kind word cheers [the heart] up” (Prov. 12:25). “A word spoken in due season, how good it is!” (Prov. 15:23). Not for ego’s sake, but for the sake of encouragement, it does feel good to have “someone else praise you” (Prov. 27:2). There is a difference between flattery and a genuine compliment. Who can you compliment today? Whose day can you enrich?