Contemporary criticism only represents the amount of ignorance genius has to contend with.
—Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) English Poet, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist
The duty of criticism is neither to depreciate nor dignify by partial representations, but to hold out the light of reason, whatever it may discover; and to promulgate the determinations of truth, whatever she shall dictate
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force.
—Dorothy Parker (1893–1967) American Humorist, Journalist
Those who have free seats at a play hiss first.
—Chinese Proverb
Think before you speak is criticism’s motto; speak before you think, creation’s.
—E. M. Forster (1879–1970) English Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist
Write how you want, the critic shall show the world you could have written better.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Art is parasitic on life, just as criticism is parasitic on art.
—Kenneth Tynan (1927–80) English Theatre Critic, Writer
The true critic is he who bears within himself the dreams and ideas and feelings of myriad generations, and to whom no form of thought is alien, no emotional impulse obscure.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Court not the critic’s smile nor dread his frown.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
Any critic is entitled to wrong judgments, of course. But certain lapses of judgment indicate the radical failure of an entire sensibility.
—Susan Sontag (1933–2004) American Writer, Philosopher
Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
When men speak ill of thee, live so as nobody may believe them.
—Plato (428 BCE–347 BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Mathematician, Educator
Post-modernism has cut off the present from all futures. The daily media add to this by cutting off the past. Which means that critical opinion is often orphaned in the present.
—John Berger (1926–2017) English Art Critic, Novelist
There are two insults no human will endure: the assertion that he has no sense of humor and the doubly impertinent assertion that he has never known trouble.
—Sinclair Lewis (1885–1951) American Novelist, Short-Story Writer
For if there is anything to one’s praise, it is foolish vanity to be gratified at it, and if it is abuse—why one is always sure to hear of it from one damned good-natured friend or another!
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751–1816) Irish-born British Playwright, Poet, Elected Rep
I have found it advisable not to give too much heed to what people say when I am trying to accomplish something of consequence. Invariably they proclaim it can’t be done. I deem that the very best time to make the effort.
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933) American Head of State, Lawyer
The whole effort of a sincere man is to erect his personal impressions into laws.
—Remy de Gourmont (1858–1915) French Critic, Novelist
Learn to see the difference between constructive and destructive criticism.
—Anonymous
A tart temper never mellows with age; and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener and sharper with constant use.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Essayist, Biographer, Historian
A negative judgment gives you more satisfaction than praise, provided it smacks of jealousy.
—Jean Baudrillard (1929–2007) French Sociologist, Philosopher
He only profits from praise who values criticism.
—Heinrich Heine (1797–1856) German Poet, Writer
You’re never as good as everyone tells you when you win, and you’re never as bad as they say when you lose.
—Lou Holtz (1893–1980) American Stage Performer
If you have no critics you’ll likely have no success.
—Malcolm S. Forbes (1919–1990) American Publisher, Businessperson
Even the lion has to defend himself against flies.
—German Proverb
When we judge or criticize another person, it says nothing about that person; it merely says something about our own need to be critical.
—Anonymous
Critics search for ages for the wrong word, which, to give them credit, they eventually find.
—Peter Ustinov (1921–2004) British Actor, Playwright, Director
It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
—William Lonsdale Watkinson
To criticize is to appreciate, to appropriate, to take intellectual possession, to establish in fine a relation with the criticized thing and to make it one’s own.
—Henry James (1843–1916) American-born British Novelist, Writer
It’s simpler and easier to flatter people than to praise them.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist
Not even the most powerful organs of the press, including Time, Newsweek, and The New York Times, can discover a new artist or certify his work and make it stick. They can only bring you the scores.
—Thomas Wolfe (1900–38) American Novelist