It seems we are inclined, when we have been set a stretch goal that we just did not reach, to tell ourselves that we sort of did, and really do deserve the reward.

FORBES: 'Stretch goals' tend to stretch all the way into fraud

When they get the reward, they deserve the recognition.

BBC: Defence won Wales Slam - Jones

The bonuses would still remain in the pockets of the employees whose failures deserve censure, not reward.

ECONOMIST: AIG and the president

The bonuses would still remain in the pockets of the employees whose failures, so the public believes, deserve censure, not reward.

ECONOMIST: Bonuses and AIG