# Quotes about criticism - Quotes: 95 - Authors: 53 - Broader topic: [Quotes about relationships](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/relationships.md) - Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism - JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.json ## Quotes > As soon as our two travelers had taken leave of His Excellency, Candide said to Martin, "Well, I hope you will own that this man is the happiest of all mortals, for he is above everything he possesses.""But do not you see," answered Martin, "that he likewise dislikes everything he possesses? It was an observation of Plato, long since, that those are not the best stomachs that reject, without distinction, all sorts of food.""True," said Candide, "but still there must certainly be a pleasure in criticising everything, and in perceiving faults where others think they see beauties.""That is," replied Martin, "there is a pleasure in having no pleasure." [Voltaire](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire.md) · [Candide](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide/as-soon-as-our.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > People flock about the poet and say to him: do sing again; Which means, would that new sufferings tormented your soul, and: would that your lips stayed fashioned as before, for your cries would only terrify us, but your music is delightful. And the critics join them, saying: well done, thus must it be according to the laws of aesthetics. Why, to be sure, a critic resembles a poet as one pea another, the only difference being that he has no anguish in his heart and no music on his lips. Behold, therefore would I rather be a swineherd on Amager, and be understood by the swine than a poet, and misunderstood by men. [Sören Kierkegaard](https://www.leafyquotes.com/soren-kierkegaard.md) · [Either/Or](https://www.leafyquotes.com/soren-kierkegaard/eitheror.md) · p. 43 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/soren-kierkegaard/eitheror/people-flock-about.md) Topics: [poetry](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/poetry.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > I remember the dark, the sense that I was suffocating, and I remember laughing. Because, while what was happening was sort of horrible, it was also funny. In many ways, Eula-Beulah prepared me for literary criticism. [Stephen King](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-king.md) · [On Writing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-king/on-writing.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-king/on-writing/i-remember-the.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > As a fantasy writer, Skraelin was not highly regarded… > > “…one cannot call him profoundly mediocre without venturing so far out on the critical limb as to bend it to the ground…” > > “…so derivative that the reader loses track of who he’s ripping off…” > > “…to say he is tin-eared would render a disservice to a blameless citizen of the periodic table of the elements…” > > But he was so freakishly prolific…and prolific was what Richard needed at this point in the game. [Neal Stephenson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neal-stephenson.md) · [Reamde](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neal-stephenson/reamde.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neal-stephenson/reamde/as-a-fantasy.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [literature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/literature.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > I was left with a great idea gutted by critical examination. But that's good. That's how we make ideas better—by trying to poke holes in them and then finding ways to fix the holes. [Greg Craven](https://www.leafyquotes.com/greg-craven.md) · [What's the Worst That Could Happen?](https://www.leafyquotes.com/greg-craven/whats-the-worst-that-could-happen.md) · p. 31 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/greg-craven/whats-the-worst-that-could-happen/i-was-left.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [ideas](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ideas.md) > Let them see that their words can cut you, and you'll never be free of the mockery. If they want to give you a name, take it, make it your own. Then they can't hurt you with it anymore. [George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Game of Thrones: The Illustrated Edition](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-game-of-thrones-the-illustrated-edition.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-game-of-thrones-the-illustrated-edition/let-them-see.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [self-acceptance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/self-acceptance.md) > Philosophy had supplied Socrates with convictions in which he had been able to have rational, as opposed to hysterical, confidence when faced with disapproval. [Alain de Botton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alain-de-botton.md) · [The Consolations of Philosophy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alain-de-botton/the-consolations-of-philosophy.md) · p. 7 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alain-de-botton/the-consolations-of-philosophy/philosophy-had-supplied.md) Topics: [philosophy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/philosophy.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Socrates, on being insulted in the marketplace, asked by a passerby, “Don’t you worry about being called names?” retorted, “Why? Do you think I should resent it if an ass had kicked me?” [Alain de Botton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alain-de-botton.md) · [Status Anxiety](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alain-de-botton/status-anxiety.md) · p. 112 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alain-de-botton/status-anxiety/socrates-on-being.md) Topics: [peace of mind](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/peace-of-mind.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > "Most men mock what they can never aspire to." [David Gemmell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell.md) · [Waylander II](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/waylander-ii.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-gemmell/waylander-ii/most-men-mock.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [jealousy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/jealousy.md) > When we are customarily annoyed by what we see as the failings of others, we are judging them by a ludicrous standard: we are assuming that they fully understand our desires, quite possibly better than we do, and that they have nothing to do but arrange things to fall seamlessly into place around our probably ill-communicated wishes. [Derren Brown](https://www.leafyquotes.com/derren-brown.md) · [Confessions of a Conjuror](https://www.leafyquotes.com/derren-brown/confessions-of-a-conjuror.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/derren-brown/confessions-of-a-conjuror/when-we-are.md) Topics: [empathy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/empathy.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > “So what’s your alternative?” people say, as if that’s logic. We don’t have to have an alternative, that’s not how critique works. We may do, and if we do, you’re welcome, but if we don’t that no more invalidates our hate for this, for what is, than does that of a serf for her lord, her flail-backed insistence that this must end, whether or not she accompanies it with a blueprint for free wage labour. Than does the millennially paced rage of the steepening shelf of the benthic plain for a system imposed by the cruelest and most crass hydrothermal vent, if that anemone-crusted angle of descent does not propose a submerged lake of black salt. [China Miéville](https://www.leafyquotes.com/china-mieville.md) · [Three Moments of an Explosion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/china-mieville/three-moments-of-an-explosion.md) · p. 215 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/china-mieville/three-moments-of-an-explosion/so-whats-your.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > The hard part (of communication) is hearing criticism so it can be easily given. [Warren Farrell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell.md) · [Women Can't Hear What Men Don't Say](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell/women-cant-hear-what-men-dont-say.md) · p. 38 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell/women-cant-hear-what-men-dont-say/the-hard-part.md) Topics: [conversation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/conversation.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > The first instinctive response to any criticism is a defensive response. (The quicker the response, the more defensive.) [Warren Farrell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell.md) · [Women Can't Hear What Men Don't Say](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell/women-cant-hear-what-men-dont-say.md) · p. 40 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell/women-cant-hear-what-men-dont-say/the-first-instinctive.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Killing the criticizer, then, is part of our evolutionary past; listening in response to criticism is part of our evolutionary future. [Warren Farrell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell.md) · [Women Can't Hear What Men Don't Say](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell/women-cant-hear-what-men-dont-say.md) · p. 41 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell/women-cant-hear-what-men-dont-say/killing-the-criticizer.md) Topics: [evolution](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/evolution.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [listening](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/listening.md) > All defensive responses to criticism are natural. (It is natural to think of our own perspective before someone else’s.) [Warren Farrell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell.md) · [Women Can't Hear What Men Don't Say](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell/women-cant-hear-what-men-dont-say.md) · p. 40 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell/women-cant-hear-what-men-dont-say/all-defensive-responses.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > During what years should a child be introduced to better ways of giving and receiving criticisms – to what I call “relationship language”? Before school age. The best teacher? Parents. [Warren Farrell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell.md) · [Women Can't Hear What Men Don't Say](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell/women-cant-hear-what-men-dont-say.md) · p. 36 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell/women-cant-hear-what-men-dont-say/during-what-years.md) Topics: [parents](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/parents.md), [upbringing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/upbringing.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > What’s true is that everyone is uncomfortable with expressing anger and being critical. Anger and criticism generates rejection. And everyone hates rejection. [Warren Farrell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell.md) · [Women Can't Hear What Men Don't Say](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell/women-cant-hear-what-men-dont-say.md) · p. 21 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell/women-cant-hear-what-men-dont-say/whats-true-is-that.md) Topics: [anger](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/anger.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Listening in response to criticism mandates a shift in our internal psyche that marks perhaps the most important single evolutionary shift humans can make. [Warren Farrell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell.md) · [Women Can't Hear What Men Don't Say](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell/women-cant-hear-what-men-dont-say.md) · p. 41 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/warren-farrell/women-cant-hear-what-men-dont-say/listening-in-response.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [listening](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/listening.md) > The best of ideas is hurt by uncritical acceptance and thrives on critical examination. [George Pólya](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-polya.md) · [How to Solve It](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-polya/how-to-solve-it.md) · p. 100 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-polya/how-to-solve-it/the-best-of-ideas.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [ideas](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ideas.md) > He said, when you’re screwing up and nobody’s saying anything to you anymore, that means they gave up. And that’s a lesson that stuck with me my whole life. Is that when you see yourself doing something badly and nobody’s bothering to tell you anymore, that’s a very bad place to be. Your critics are your ones telling you they still love you and care. [Randy Pausch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch.md) · [The Last Lecture](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch/the-last-lecture.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch/the-last-lecture/he-said-when.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Get a feedback loop and listen to it. … When people give you feedback, cherish it and use it. [Randy Pausch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch.md) · [The Last Lecture](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch/the-last-lecture.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch/the-last-lecture/get-a-feedback.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Coach Graham use to ride me hard . . . "you're doing it all wrong! Go back! Do it again!" An assistant coach muttered that it was a good thing Coach Graham rode me hard, because "when you're screwing up and nobody says anything to you anymore, that means they've given up on you." [Randy Pausch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch.md) · [The Last Lecture](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch/the-last-lecture.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch/the-last-lecture/coach-graham-use.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > And he put his arm around my shoulders and we went for a little walk and he said, Randy, it’s such a shame that people perceive you as so arrogant. Because it’s going to limit what you’re going to be able to accomplish in life. What a hell of a way to word “you’re being a jerk.” [laughter] Right? He doesn’t say you’re a jerk. He says people are perceiving you this way and he says the downside is it’s going to limit what you’re going to be able to accomplish. [Randy Pausch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch.md) · [The Last Lecture](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch/the-last-lecture.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/randy-pausch/the-last-lecture/and-he-put.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [arrogance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/arrogance.md) > Until you look forward to criticism, your Work’s not done. [Byron Katie](https://www.leafyquotes.com/byron-katie.md) · [Loving What Is](https://www.leafyquotes.com/byron-katie/loving-what-is.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/byron-katie/loving-what-is/until-you-look.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits. [Mark Twain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain.md) · [Pudd'nhead Wilson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain/puddnhead-wilson.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain/puddnhead-wilson/nothing-so-needs.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > It is easy to find fault, if one has that disposition. There was once a man who, not being able to find any other fault with his coal, complained there were too many prehistoric toads in it. [Mark Twain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain.md) · [Pudd'nhead Wilson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain/puddnhead-wilson.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain/puddnhead-wilson/it-is-easy.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [complaining](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/complaining.md) > My grandmother used to say > > before you moan about the muck on someone else's glasses > > make sure you're not on about the muck on your own > > her glasses were filthy [John Hegley](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-hegley.md) · [Glad to Wear Glasses](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-hegley/glad-to-wear-glasses.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-hegley/glad-to-wear-glasses/my-grandmother-used.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Abilities wither under criticism, they blossom under encouragement. [Dale Carnegie](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dale-carnegie.md) · [How to Win Friends and Influence People](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dale-carnegie/how-to-win-friends-and-influence-people.md) · p. 220 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dale-carnegie/how-to-win-friends-and-influence-people/abilities-wither-under.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [talent](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/talent.md) > Benjamin Franklin, tactless in his youth, became so diplomatic, so adroit at handling people that he was made American Ambassador to France. The secret of his success? "I will speak ill of no man," he said, "...and speak all the good I know of everybody." Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain - and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving. "A great man shows his greatness," says Carlyle, "by the way he treats little men." [Dale Carnegie](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dale-carnegie.md) · [How to Win Friends and Influence People](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dale-carnegie/how-to-win-friends-and-influence-people.md) · p. 36 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dale-carnegie/how-to-win-friends-and-influence-people/benjamin-franklin-tactless.md) Topics: [character](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/character.md), [forgiveness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/forgiveness.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Anyone who tries to improve the lives of animals invariably comes in for criticism from those who believe such efforts are misplaced in a world of suffering humanity. [Jane Goodall](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-goodall.md) · [Reason For Hope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-goodall/reason-for-hope.md) · p. 217 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jane-goodall/reason-for-hope/anyone-who-tries.md) Topics: [animals](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/animals.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Our culture peculiarly honors the act of blaming, which it takes as the sign of virtue and intellect. [Lionel Trilling](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lionel-trilling.md) · [The Liberal Imagination](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lionel-trilling/the-liberal-imagination.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lionel-trilling/the-liberal-imagination/our-culture-peculiarly.md) Topics: [culture](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/culture.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > About ten degrees upslope of Fiction, I could see our nearest neighbor: Artistic Criticism. It was an exceptionally beautiful island, yet deeply troubled, confused and suffused with a blanketing layer of almost impenetrable bullshit. [Jasper Fforde](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jasper-fforde.md) · [One of Our Thursdays Is Missing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jasper-fforde/one-of-our-thursdays-is-missing.md) · p. 13 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jasper-fforde/one-of-our-thursdays-is-missing/about-ten-degrees.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > I believe no satirist could breathe this air. If another Juvenal or Swift could rise up among us tomorrow, he would be hunted down. If you have any knowledge of our literature, and can give me the name of any man, American born and bred, who has anatomised our follies as a people, and not as this or that party; and who has escaped the foulest and most brutal slander, the most inveterate hatred and intolerant pursuit; it will be a strange name in my ears, believe me. [Charles Dickens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens.md) · [Martin Chuzzlewit](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/martin-chuzzlewit.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/martin-chuzzlewit/i-believe-no-satirist.md) Topics: [America](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/america.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > A man in public life expects to be sneered at—it is the fault of his elevated sitiwation, and not of himself. [Charles Dickens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens.md) · [Nicholas Nickleby](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/nicholas-nickleby.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-dickens/nicholas-nickleby/a-man-in-public.md) Topics: [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Listen to the people who are talking about how to fix what's wrong, not the ones who just work people into a snit over the problems. Listen to the people who have ideas about how to fix things, not the ones who just blame others. ("We're Talking About This Kind of People..." 1995) [Molly Ivins](https://www.leafyquotes.com/molly-ivins.md) · [You Got to Dance with Them What Brung You](https://www.leafyquotes.com/molly-ivins/you-got-to-dance-with-them-what-brung-you.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/molly-ivins/you-got-to-dance-with-them-what-brung-you/listen-to-the.md) Topics: [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > “The trouble with you, Peter—one of the troubles—is you worry too much about other people’s behavior. And you have too high ideals for them, ideals which you yourself don’t try to live up to.” > > “I know I can’t live up to them, so I make a no pretense,” Frigate said. > > “But it bothers me that others claim to have these ideals and to be living up to them. If I point out that they aren’t, they get angry.” > > The little Moor chuckled. “Naturally. Your criticism threatens their self-image. If that were to be destroyed, they, too, would be destroyed. At least, they think so.” [Philip José Farmer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-jose-farmer.md) · [The Dark Design](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-jose-farmer/the-dark-design.md) · p. 297 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-jose-farmer/the-dark-design/the-trouble-with.md) Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [idealism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/idealism.md) > One cannot condemn tendencies in art; one can only condemn works of art. To be categorically against a current art tendency or style means, in effect, to pronounce on works of art not yet created and not yet seen. It means inquiring into the motives of artists instead of into results. Yet we all know — or are supposed to know — that results are all that count in art. [Clement Greenberg](https://www.leafyquotes.com/clement-greenberg.md) · [Art and Culture](https://www.leafyquotes.com/clement-greenberg/art-and-culture.md) · p. 164 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/clement-greenberg/art-and-culture/one-cannot-condemn.md) Topics: [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Dissent, is like a Gurkha’s ‘khukri’ , once it emerges form its sheath it must draw blood before it can be put away again. [Shashi Tharoor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/shashi-tharoor.md) · [The Great Indian Novel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/shashi-tharoor/the-great-indian-novel.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/shashi-tharoor/the-great-indian-novel/dissent-is-like.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [rebellion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/rebellion.md) > There are those who must find fault somewhere, among the dead if they cannot find enough among the living. [Sheri S. Tepper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper.md) · [The Song of Mavin Manyshaped](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/the-song-of-mavin-manyshaped.md) · p. 31 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/the-song-of-mavin-manyshaped/there-are-those.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [complaining](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/complaining.md) > Of all the cants which are canted in this canting world, — though the cant of hypocrites may be the worst, — the cant of criticism is the most tormenting! [Laurence Sterne](https://www.leafyquotes.com/laurence-sterne.md) · [The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/laurence-sterne/the-life-and-opinions-of-tristram-shandy-gentleman.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/laurence-sterne/the-life-and-opinions-of-tristram-shandy-gentleman/of-all-the.md) Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Alas, criticism has always been what human beings, especially leaders, most hate to hear. [David Brin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin.md) · [The Transparent Society](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin/the-transparent-society.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin/the-transparent-society/alas-criticism-has.md) Topics: [leadership](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/leadership.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > In all of history, we have found just one cure for error—a partial antidote against making and repeating grand, foolish mistakes, a remedy against self-deception. That antidote is criticism. [David Brin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin.md) · [The Transparent Society](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin/the-transparent-society.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin/the-transparent-society/in-all-of-history.md) Topics: [mistakes](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/mistakes.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > But with photography as with drawing or painting, once it is done I want to know whether it holds together or not. That is the real critique. I couldn’t care less if the person to whom I show what I do likes it or not — it takes all sorts to make a world and all that. To criticize is to put oneself in someone else’s shoes and try to figure out what they wanted to do. Only the “why” of things is important to me. [Henri Cartier-Bresson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henri-cartier-bresson.md) · [Henri Cartier-Bresson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henri-cartier-bresson/henri-cartier-bresson.md) · p. 132 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henri-cartier-bresson/henri-cartier-bresson/but-with-photography.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > The story and its analyses are not mirror-opposites of each other. They are not reflections, either one. Criticism indeed is an art, as a story is, but only the story is to some degree a vision; there is no explanation outside fiction for what the writer is learning to do. ("Writing and Analyzing a Story") [Eudora Welty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eudora-welty.md) · [On Writing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eudora-welty/on-writing.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eudora-welty/on-writing/the-story-and.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Technically our novelists (for instance) are shrewd enough, and publishers and reviewers seem, as never before, eager to be of use. Nevertheless, wherever we look it's the same: commercial slickness, misplaced cleverness, posturing, wild floundering -- dullness. Though not widely advertised, this is general knowledge. When one talks with editors of serious fiction, they all sound the same: they speak of their pleasure and satisfaction in their work, but more often than not the editor cannot think, under the moment's pressure, of a single contemporary writer he really enjoys reading. Some deny, even publicly, that any first-rate American novelists now exist. The ordinary reader has been saying that for years... [John Gardner](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-gardner.md) · [On Moral Fiction](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-gardner/on-moral-fiction.md) · p. 56 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-gardner/on-moral-fiction/technically-our-novelists.md) Topics: [literature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/literature.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Judge them by their works. What have they done for mankind beyond the spinning of airy fancies and the mistaking of their own shadows for gods? [Jack London](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-london.md) · [The Iron Heel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-london/the-iron-heel.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-london/the-iron-heel/judge-them-by-their.md) Topics: [philosophy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/philosophy.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Too much is written by the men who can't write about the men who do write. [Jack London](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-london.md) · [Martin Eden](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-london/martin-eden.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-london/martin-eden/too-much-is-written.md) Topics: [writing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/writing.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > To look at a work of art in order to see how well certain rules are observed and canons conformed to impoverished perception. But to strive to note the ways in which certain conditions are fulfilled, such as the organic means by which the media is made to express and carry definite parts, or how the problem of adequate individualization is solved, sharpens esthetic perception and enriches its content. [John Dewey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-dewey.md) · [Art as Experience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-dewey/art-as-experience.md) · p. 213 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-dewey/art-as-experience/to-look-at-a-work.md) Topics: [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > It is wrong to condemn people for doing a thing and then offer no alternative but failure. A person could get mad about that. [Wendell Berry](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wendell-berry.md) · [Sex, Economy, Freedom, & Community](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wendell-berry/sex-economy-freedom-community.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wendell-berry/sex-economy-freedom-community/it-is-wrong.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. > > "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had." [F.Scott Fitzgerald](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fscott-fitzgerald.md) · [The Great Gatsby](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fscott-fitzgerald/the-great-gatsby.md) · p. 1 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fscott-fitzgerald/the-great-gatsby/in-my-younger.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [advice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/advice.md) > The function of criticism should be to show how it is what it is, even that it is what it is, rather than to show what it means. [Susan Sontag](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag.md) · [Against Interpretation and Other Essays](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays/the-function-of-criticism.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Interpretation thus presupposes a discrepancy between the clear meaning of the text and the demands of (later) readers. It seeks to resolve that discrepancy. The situation is that for some reason a text has become unacceptable; yet it cannot be discarded. Interpretation is a radical strategy for conserving an old text, which is thought too precious to repudiate, by revamping it. The interpreter, without actually erasing or rewriting the text, is altering it. But he can’t admit to doing this. He claims to be only making it intelligible, by disclosing its true meaning. [Susan Sontag](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag.md) · [Against Interpretation and Other Essays](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays.md) · p. 6 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays/interpretation-thus-presupposes.md) Topics: [literature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/literature.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > To interpret is to impoverish, to deplete the world—in order to set up a shadow world of "meanings." [Susan Sontag](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag.md) · [Against Interpretation and Other Essays](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays.md) · p. 7 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays/to-interpret-is-to-impoverish.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Interpretation is the revenge of the intellect upon art. [Susan Sontag](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag.md) · [Against Interpretation and Other Essays](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays.md) · p. 7 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays/interpretation-is-the.md) Topics: [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > The work of Kafka … has been subjected to a mass ravishment by no less than three armies of interpreters. Those who read Kafka as a social allegory see case studies of the frustrations and insanity of modern bureaucracy and its ultimate issuance in the totalitarian state. Those who read Kafka as a psychoanalytic allegory see desperate revelations of Kafka’s fear of his father, his castration anxieties, his sense of his own impotence, his thralldom to his dreams. Those who read Kafka as a religious allegory explain that K. in The Castle is trying to gain access to heaven, that Joseph K. in The Trial is being judged by the inexorable and mysterious justice of God. [Susan Sontag](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag.md) · [Against Interpretation and Other Essays](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays/the-work-of-kafka.md) Topics: [literature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/literature.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Transparence is the highest, most liberating value in art—and in criticism—today. Transparence means experiencing the luminousness of the thing in itself, of things being what they are. [Susan Sontag](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag.md) · [Against Interpretation and Other Essays](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays/transparence-is-the.md) Topics: [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > What the overemphasis on the idea of content entails is the perennial, never consummated project of interpretation. And, conversely, it is the habit of approaching works of art in order to interpret them that sustains the fancy that there really is such a thing as the content of a work of art. [Susan Sontag](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag.md) · [Against Interpretation and Other Essays](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays.md) · p. 5 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays/what-the-overemphasis.md) Topics: [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > The old style of interpretation was insistent, but respectful; it erected another meaning on top of the literal one. The modern style of interpretation excavates, and as it excavates, destroys; it digs ‘behind’ the text, to find a sub-text which is the true one. The most celebrated and influential modern doctrines, those of Marx and Freud, actually amount to elaborate systems of hermeneutics, aggressive and impious theories of interpretation. [Susan Sontag](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag.md) · [Against Interpretation and Other Essays](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays.md) · p. 6 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays/the-old-style.md) Topics: [literature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/literature.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Real art has the capacity to make us nervous. By reducing the work of art to its content and then interpreting that, one tames the work of art. Interpretation makes art manageable, comformable. [Susan Sontag](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag.md) · [Against Interpretation and Other Essays](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays.md) · p. 8 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays/real-art-has.md) Topics: [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Interpretation is not (as most people assume) an absolute value, a gesture of mind situated in some timeless realm of capabilities. Interpretation must itself be evaluated, within a historical view of human consciousness.''' In some cultural contexts, interpretation is a liberating act. It is a means of revising, of transvaluing, of escaping the dead past. In other cultural contexts, it is reactionary, impertinent, cowardly, stifling. [Susan Sontag](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag.md) · [Against Interpretation and Other Essays](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays.md) · p. 6 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-sontag/against-interpretation-and-other-essays/interpretation-is-not.md) Topics: [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Not everyone was as good at creation as they were at complaining. [Kim Stanley Robinson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kim-stanley-robinson.md) · [Blue Mars](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kim-stanley-robinson/blue-mars.md) · p. 64 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kim-stanley-robinson/blue-mars/not-everyone-was.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Nothing, it is true, is more common than for both Science and Art to pay homage to the spirit of the age, and for creative taste to accept the law of critical taste. [Friedrich Schiller](https://www.leafyquotes.com/friedrich-schiller.md) · [On the Aesthetic Education of Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/friedrich-schiller/on-the-aesthetic-education-of-man.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/friedrich-schiller/on-the-aesthetic-education-of-man/nothing-it-is-true.md) Topics: [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > At an exhibition in London, one sagacious critic wrote: 'Monsieur Degas seems a good pupil of Nittis!' Doesn't this reflect that mania which men of letters have for squabbling in court over who had a given idea first? And the mania spreads to painters who take great care of their originality. [Paul Gauguin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paul-gauguin.md) · [The Writings Of A Savage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paul-gauguin/the-writings-of-a-savage.md) · p. 219 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paul-gauguin/the-writings-of-a-savage/at-an-exhibition.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > The critic asks me: 'So you are a Symbolist? I mean well and I would like to learn; why don't you explain Symbolism to me'.. I answer.. .'Well, my paintings probably speak Hebrew, which you do not understand, so there is no point in continuing the conversation. [Paul Gauguin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paul-gauguin.md) · [The Writings Of A Savage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paul-gauguin/the-writings-of-a-savage.md) · p. 130 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paul-gauguin/the-writings-of-a-savage/the-critic-asks.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > In show business you learn to let it slide off your back. You know, fuck 'em. Otherwise you'd kill yourself. [John Hoyer Updike](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-hoyer-updike.md) · [Rabbit at Rest](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-hoyer-updike/rabbit-at-rest.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-hoyer-updike/rabbit-at-rest/in-show-business.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Like a true university woman she set out on a criticism of the words which was rooted in what she had been taught; she had a critical system, unfailing in its power to reduce poetry to technicalities and to slide easily over its content. It was a system which, properly applied, could put Homer in his place and turn the Sonnets of Shakespeare into critic-fodder. Without intending to be so, it was a system which, once mastered, set the possessor free forever, should that be his wish, from anything a poet, however noble in spirit, might have felt and imparted to the world. [Robertson Davies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies.md) · [The Cornish Trilogy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-cornish-trilogy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-cornish-trilogy/like-a-true.md) Topics: [poetry](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/poetry.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > It is a firm critical principle that nobody living is quite as good as somebody dead. [Robertson Davies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies.md) · [The Cornish Trilogy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-cornish-trilogy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-cornish-trilogy/it-is-a-firm.md) Topics: [death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/death.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > They boo you, they whistle, they stamp their feet — you hate it but you thrive on it. Because the things that wear you down are the things that nurture you and your talent. [Philip Roth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-roth.md) · [The Facts](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-roth/the-facts.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-roth/the-facts/they-boo-you.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [talent](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/talent.md) > Mere abuse is no criticism. [P.G. Wodehouse](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pg-wodehouse.md) · [Quick Service](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pg-wodehouse/quick-service.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pg-wodehouse/quick-service/mere-abuse-is-no-criticism.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > A certain critic—for such men, I regret to say, do exist—made the nasty remark about my last novel that it contained ‘all the old Wodehouse characters under different names’. He has probably now been eaten by bears, like the children who made mock of the prophet Elisha: but if he still survives he will not be able to make a similar charge against Summer Lightning. With my superior intelligence, I have outgeneralled this man by putting in all the old Wodehouse characters under the same names. Pretty silly it will make him feel, I rather fancy. (From preface) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pg-wodehouse.md) · [Summer Lightning](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pg-wodehouse/summer-lightning.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pg-wodehouse/summer-lightning/a-certain-critic-for.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Has anybody ever seen a drama critic in the daytime? Of course not. They come out after dark, up to no good. [P.G. Wodehouse](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pg-wodehouse.md) · [The Adventures of Sally](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pg-wodehouse/the-adventures-of-sally.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pg-wodehouse/the-adventures-of-sally/has-anybody-ever.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Urbanized men and women experience not life but the abstraction of life, on ever higher levels of refinement and dislocation from reality. They become processors of ideas, and have evolved such esoteric occupations as the critic, the critic who criticizes criticism, and even the critic who criticizes criticism of criticism. It is a very sad misuse of human talent and energy. [Jack Vance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance.md) · [The Book of Dreams](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/the-book-of-dreams.md) · p. 264 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/the-book-of-dreams/urbanized-men-and.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [cities](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cities.md) > My own concepts in this regard are easy and clear, and I am sure that the word “simplistic” will be used by my critics. These folk are callow and turgid of intellect; I am reassured by their howls and yelps. [Jack Vance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance.md) · [The Face](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/the-face.md) · p. 172 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/the-face/my-own-concepts.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > There are also those who, like the author, ensconce themselves on a thunderous crag of omniscience, and with protestations of humility which are either unconvincing or totally absent, assume the obligation of appraisal, commendation, derogation or denunciation of their contemporaries. Still, by and large it is an easier job than digging a ditch. [Jack Vance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance.md) · [The Star King](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/the-star-king.md) · p. 59 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/the-star-king/there-are-also.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > The modern English literary world, at any rate the high-brow section of it, is a sort of poisonous jungle where only weeds can flourish. [George Orwell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell.md) · [The Road to Wigan Pier](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/the-road-to-wigan-pier.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/the-road-to-wigan-pier/the-modern-english.md) Topics: [literature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/literature.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > The high-water mark, so to speak, of Socialist literature is W. H. Auden, a sort of gutless Kipling, and the even feebler poets who are associated with him. [George Orwell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell.md) · [The Road to Wigan Pier](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/the-road-to-wigan-pier.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-orwell/the-road-to-wigan-pier/the-high-water-mark.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [poetry](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/poetry.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > As for literary criticism in general: I have long felt that any reviewer who expresses rage and loathing for a novel or a play or a poem is preposterous. He or she is like a person who has put on full armor and attacked a hot fudge sundae or a banana split. [Kurt Vonnegut](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut.md) · [Palm Sunday](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/palm-sunday.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/palm-sunday/as-for-literary.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [literature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/literature.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Read as little as possible of literary criticism - such things are either partisan opinions, which have become petrified and meaningless, hardened and empty of life, or else they are just clever word-games, in which one view wins today, and tomorrow the opposite view. Works of art are of an infinite solitude, and no means of approach is so useless as criticism. [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rainer-maria-rilke.md) · [Letters to a Young Poet](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rainer-maria-rilke/letters-to-a-young-poet.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rainer-maria-rilke/letters-to-a-young-poet/read-as-little.md) Topics: [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Art too is just a way of living, and however one lives, one can, without knowing, prepare for it; in everything real one is closer to it, more its neighbor, than in the unreal half-artistic professions, which, while they pretend to be close to art, in practice deny and attack the existence of all art - as, for example, all of journalism does and almost all criticism and three quarters of what is called (and wants to be called) literature. [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rainer-maria-rilke.md) · [Letters to a Young Poet](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rainer-maria-rilke/letters-to-a-young-poet.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rainer-maria-rilke/letters-to-a-young-poet/art-too-is-just.md) Topics: [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [journalism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/journalism.md) > Nothing touches a work of art so little as words of criticism : they always result in more or less fortunate misunderstandings. Things aren't all so tangible and sayable as people would usually have us believe; most experiences are unsayable, they happen in a space that no word has ever entered, and more unsayable than all other things are works of art, those mysterious existences, whose life endures beside our own small, transitory life. [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rainer-maria-rilke.md) · [Letters to a Young Poet](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rainer-maria-rilke/letters-to-a-young-poet.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rainer-maria-rilke/letters-to-a-young-poet/nothing-touches-a-work.md) Topics: [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [words](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/words.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > We do not, of course, write literary criticism at all now. Academe has won the battle in which Wilson fought so fiercely on the other side. Ambitious English teachers now invent systems that have nothing to do with literature or life but everything to do with those games that must be played in order for them to rise in the academic bureaucracy. Their works are empty indeed. But then, their works are not meant to be full. They are to be taught, not read. The long dialogue has broken down. Fortunately, as Flaubert pointed out, the worst thing about the present is the future. One day there will be no... But I have been asked not to give the game away. Meanwhile, I shall drop a single hint: Only construct! [Gore Vidal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gore-vidal.md) · [United States](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gore-vidal/united-states.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gore-vidal/united-states/we-do-not.md) Topics: [literature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/literature.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > Long ago, I made up my mind that when things were said involving only me, I would pay no attention to them, except when valid criticism was carried by which I could profit. (14 January 1942) [Eleanor Roosevelt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eleanor-roosevelt.md) · [My Day](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eleanor-roosevelt/my-day.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eleanor-roosevelt/my-day/long-ago-i-made.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > But there is a chance that the answers will discomfit a great many bureaucratic and doctrinal religions. The idea of religion as a body of belief, immune to criticism, fixed forever by some founder is, I think, a prescription for the long-term decay of the religion, especially lately. [Carl Sagan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan.md) · [Broca's Brain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/brocas-brain.md) · p. 338 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/brocas-brain/but-there-is-a-chance.md) Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > The First Amendment to the United States Constitution encourages a diversity of religions but does not prohibit criticism of religion. In fact it protects and encourages criticism of religion. Religions ought to be subject to at least the same degree of skepticism as, for example, contentions about UFO visitations or Velikovskian catastrophism. I think it is healthy for the religions themselves to foster skepticism about the fundamental underpinnings of their evidential bases. There is no question that religion provides a solace and support, a bulwark in time of emotional need, and can serve extremely useful social roles. But it by no means follows that religion should be immune from testing, from critical scrutiny, from skepticism. It is striking how little skeptical discussion of religion there is in the nation that Tom Paine, the author of The Age of Reason, helped to found. I hold that belief systems that cannot survive scrutiny are probably not worth having. [Carl Sagan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan.md) · [Broca's Brain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/brocas-brain.md) · p. 338 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/brocas-brain/the-first-amendment.md) Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [skepticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/skepticism.md) > Vigorous criticism is more constructive in science than in some other areas of human endeavor because in science there are adequate standards of validity that can be agreed upon by competent practitioners the world over. The objective of such criticism is not to suppress but rather to encourage the advance of new ideas: those that survive a firm skeptical scrutiny have a fighting chance of being right, or at least useful. [Carl Sagan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan.md) · [Broca's Brain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/brocas-brain.md) · p. 98 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/brocas-brain/vigorous-criticism-is-more.md) Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [skepticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/skepticism.md) > The well-meaning contention that all ideas have equal merit seems to me little different from the disastrous contention that no ideas have any merit. [Carl Sagan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan.md) · [Broca's Brain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/brocas-brain.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/brocas-brain/the-well-meaning-contention.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [ideas](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ideas.md) > The great critic ... must be a philosopher, for from philosophy he will learn serenity, impartiality, and the transitoriness of human things. [William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [The Summing Up](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-summing-up.md) · p. 223 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-summing-up/the-great-critic.md) Topics: [philosophy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/philosophy.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md) > It is salutary to train oneself to be no more affected by censure than by praise... [William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [The Summing Up](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-summing-up.md) · p. 223 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-summing-up/it-is-salutary.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [flattery](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery.md) > ...you know what the critics are. If you tell the truth they only say you're cynical and it does an author no good to get a reputation for cynicism. [William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [Cakes And Ale](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/cakes-and-ale.md) · p. 137 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/cakes-and-ale/you-know-what.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [cynicism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cynicism.md) > People ask you for criticism, but they only want praise. [William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [Of Human Bondage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/of-human-bondage.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/of-human-bondage/people-ask-you.md) Topics: [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [flattery](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/flattery.md) > Like every writer, he measured the virtues of other writers by their performance, and asked that they measure him by what he conjectured or planned. [Jorge Luis Borges](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jorge-luis-borges.md) · [Ficciones](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jorge-luis-borges/ficciones.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jorge-luis-borges/ficciones/like-every-writer.md) Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [writers](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/writers.md) > If you arrive late, you won't know what anything is about, and if you are there all the way from the beginning, you won't care. p. 277 [Dorothy Parker](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dorothy-parker.md) · [Dorothy Parker: Poems](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dorothy-parker/dorothy-parker-poems.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dorothy-parker/dorothy-parker-poems/if-you-arrive.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [theatre](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/theatre.md) > The management's method of procedure is evidently to hire some well-known man to write the book, and then, as soon as it is written, to give it away to some deserving family, and go out and engage an assortment of specialty acts. p. 151 [Dorothy Parker](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dorothy-parker.md) · [Dorothy Parker: Poems](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dorothy-parker/dorothy-parker-poems.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dorothy-parker/dorothy-parker-poems/the-managements-method.md) Topics: [irony](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/irony.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [theatre](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/theatre.md) > It is advertised as “a seagoin’ comedy,” and anytime they go leaving off the final g that way, you know what to expect. p. 324 [Dorothy Parker](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dorothy-parker.md) · [Dorothy Parker: Poems](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dorothy-parker/dorothy-parker-poems.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dorothy-parker/dorothy-parker-poems/it-is-advertised.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md), [theatre](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/theatre.md) > I thought that was going to be a good song, too, and then they went and rhymed “time” and “Rhine,” and spoiled everything. p. 24 [Dorothy Parker](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dorothy-parker.md) · [Dorothy Parker: Poems](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dorothy-parker/dorothy-parker-poems.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dorothy-parker/dorothy-parker-poems/i-thought-that.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [music](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/music.md), [criticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/criticism.md)