There’s nothing strange about thinking that somebody is a clever person, or acknowledging somebody’s contribution to the country.
I’m perfectly comfortable and happy in doing that, although I suppose that not everyone is in the same position in life and so they might behave differently. If for example I had something of an inferiority complex, some underlying resentment or a bit of a chip on my shoulder in relation to another person’s standing, then I should imagine it would be a different story.
As for your other facile remark about being born too late, I tend to think that I’ve just maintained a fair level of standards and respect, whereas society as a whole has declined in these areas. It might be down to my experience in life, upbringing or education, but I’m quite happy to resist the broader decline.