The primary definition of delicate: fine in texture, quality, construction, etc.:
a delicate lace collar.
I read it as a compliment.
If he had said "delicate ego" it'd be a different story.
I read it as a compliment.
If he had said "delicate ego" it'd be a different story.
As for people, I don't think our culture values fragility in an individual. Conversely, we definitely do value resilience. I'm not sure of a case where you could refer to a physical or mental aspect of someone as delicate or fragile (when it's relative to the norm where it's not) and it comes out positive.