The holy Zohar states that "There is no left in this Ancient One (the partzuf of Atik Yomin) – all is right." The inner explanation is that to move-transfer someone from their place, there is no benefit in the left line, judgments and criticism, but only in the right line, kindness and love. Sometimes, to prevent immediate harm, criticism is required, but it should be related discreetly and sensitively. True change, however, comes only through empowering the good and positive aspects of the personality.
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov's teaching on the verse "Yet a little while, and the wicked shall be no more; and you shall look well at his place, and he shall not be there" is well-known: To move a wicked person from his original place ("and you shall look well at his place, and he shall not be there"), one must see "yet a little" good ("the wicked shall be no more") that is in him. Focusing consciousness on the good in others amplifies it, makes it the core of the personality, and elevates the person to a different place.
Indeed, to amplify the good in others and make our society better and more illuminated, it is not enough to think well of others – one must express it in speech, praising friends in their presence and not in their presence, illuminating the world with praise for the good things seen in others. This is how Maimonides describes the speech of the wise: "He judges everyone favorably, speaks of his friend's praise and not at all of his disgrace." A true sage knows how to identify the good intentions of every person, interpret their actions positively, and express praise in a way that no disgrace comes from it (even implicitly or indirectly).
Maimonides says that speaking in praise of others is also the first expression of the "great principle in the Torah" of loving one’s fellow – "It is a mitzvah for every person to love each and every one of Israel as himself, as it is said 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' therefore one must speak of his praise, etc." What, then, is the difference between speaking in praise of a friend, which is incumbent upon everyone, and the special quality of the sage who speaks of his friend's praise?
One can compliment others in a general way, without going into details, and even exaggerate their praise – the main thing is to create a good, respectful, and loving atmosphere. This way, one succeeds in complimenting even those whose virtues are not precisely known, and also 'doesn't take the risk' that from a precise and measured compliment, hidden criticism might be implied. But a true Torah scholar has sufficient greatness of mind to precisely locate the points of goodness and strength in others, to praise them in a way that reveals them, amplifies them in the personality, and affixes them in reality. Alongside precision and measure, he also knows how to do this in the right way, "speaking of his friend's praise and not at all of his disgrace." Such a successful compliment not only creates a general positive atmosphere but creates a much more precise and deep psychological change.
Nevertheless, one should remember that the Alter Rebbe said that the redemption will come through kindness, even when it is not true kindness. Even if the loving compliment is not true and precise kindness, the main thing is to increase love of Israel and thus bring the redemption.
