Alan, I understand what you are saying and if it can't mean praise, then the
way you translated it below can't possibly turn out the way M & P have it.
M & P: "Where fault can be found, the good is ignored."

I took M & P's translation to mean something like what happens when sweeping
political actions are proffered in hopes of bettering something and
immediately there is sniping that it will hurt this or that interest, but
maybe M & P used a different translation there or I am reading something
into it that is not there.

Ásgrímur svarar: "Fár bregður hinu betra ef hann veit hið verra. En það
munu
Ásgrím answers: 'Few (people) disregard the better (things) if he (they)
know(s) the worse (things).
Grace
Fred and Grace Hatton
Hawley Pa