Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips (Proverbs 27:2).

It makes sense to me that praise from others works better than self-aggrandizement.  This is why keynote speakers are generally introduced by some sort of master of ceremonies; this is why the backs of books feature recommendations from other authors and public personalities as opposed to the purely self-promoting words of the author himself; and this is why it can be easier to have friends set you up with a potential date as opposed to just trying to meet someone in a bar sometime...

But here's my question about this Proverb:  What if I don't receive any praise, then? If no one else is going to notice or mention the praiseworthy thigns about me, what am I supposed to do about that?  We all need affirmation.  We all need encouragement -- even if it has to be actively solicited.  Right?  Maybe self-promotion is just a part of today's economics.  Although the words of praise from others are highly valuable, isn't it also common knowledge that nobody can make it as a writer, actor, artist, politician, or salesman (just to name a few of the more problematic professions which are highly prized in our current cultural climate) if they don't promote themselves?  So honestly, how are we supposed to just sit back and wait for someone else to provide the praise -- not our own mouths?  What if the praise never comes?

I can't tell you how a writer, actor, artist, politician, or salesman should respond when there's no praise from others (though it would certainly seem that such a lack of active encouragement should give some degree of pause).  But for those who find their true identity in God, verse 21 suggests that the level of praise (or lack thereof) in a person's life might just prove to be a means of character development: "The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives."  Thus, if the praise is being poured on and we're allowing ourselves to be disproportionately affected by it -- or if the praise is being conspicuously withheld and we're allowing ourselves to be disproportionately affected by it -- we need to stop and realize that our identity does not come in the opinions that others have of us.  On the contrary, our value comes from our status as children of God (see Galatians chapter 4).  If no praise is coming from others, then we are wise if we simply wait, withhold our selfish ambition, and give in such a way that we can one day hear God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:14-30).

And if that's not an effective means of letting another praise you, then I don't know what is.