Backhanded Compliment Quotes & Sayings

No one should take away the wrong lessons from the Jewish and Christian plight in the face of the modern world. Can others presume to step forward blithely to take over the baton? Hardly. The modern world's challenge to religion is not escaped so easily. The sorry state of these two biblical faiths under the impact of modernity is actually a compliment to them and a caution to others. Those first hit by modernity are those worst hit, but this is a backhanded acknowledgement of their leadership. Similarly, those farther behind may appear to be better off, but only so long as they stay farther behind and don't engage with the challenges of the modern word. — Os Guinness

Most of my ribbons were for good sportsmanship, a backhanded compliment if ever there was one. — David Sedaris

She isn't stupid. She's intelligent enough in a purely feminine way. Eighteenth-century France would have been a marvellous setting for her, or the old South if she hadn't made the mistake of being born a Negro. — Nella Larsen

Could you imagine me and the roasters taking on the GOP field? It would be the greatest show ever. Prove that you can take a joke. Prove that you're a man or woman of the people. Prove that you're not above criticism even in the form of a backhanded compliment. — Jeff Ross

She'd tell me how she'd handle the backhanded compliment by smiling and pretending she was receiving a genuine compliment all the while ignoring their attempt to be insulting. After all, it's the way an insult is received that makes it an insult. You can't really give offense unless someone takes it. — Portia De Rossi

Her eyelashes lay on her cheek, but they were not extraordinarily thick or long. Her eyebrows would benefit from plucking, but they were elegantly curved. — Jo Beverley

My whole life story is kind of a backhanded compliment. — Tori Spelling

Even if you are a pompous ass with no respect for authority, you're worth fifty men, and I mean to see you in my army."
"That was an incredibly backhanded compliment."
"I meant every word. — Brian McClellan

[I]f I suffered only one fool gladly, I assure you it would be you. — Iain M. Banks

"Dark Fantasy" was my long, backhanded apology. You know how people give a backhanded compliment? It was a backhanded apology. It was like, all these raps, all these sonic acrobatics. I was like: "Let me show you guys what I can do, and please accept me back. You want to have me on your shelves." — Kanye West

I wonder if you have ever given someone a compliment that wasn't a backhanded insult.

I prefer not to, it gives people an unsettling impression of self-importance. — Rachel E. Carter

I find it to be the ultimate backhanded compliment when you are compared against yourself. — Elvis Costello

When I was heavy, people would say to me - and it was such a backhanded compliment - they would say, 'You've got such a beautiful face,' in the way of, like, 'Oh, isn't it a shame that from the neck down you're questionable.' — Kate Winslet