I have been both praised and criticized. The criticism stung, but the praise sometimes bothered me even more. To have received such praise and honors has always been puzzling to me.

If they want to criticize me, I don't care; I don't mind. But they must criticize me fairly. Usually, the criticism is not fair. Or the praise, even the praise sometimes is not fair.

there are floods of praise coming in as well as criticism.

When considering praise or criticism first consider the source.

The British constitution has always been puzzling and always will be.

Sometimes when you're praised about something, sometimes it's deserved, and sometimes it's not deserved. Same thing with criticism. Sometimes the criticism is deserved, and sometimes it's not deserved.