"There is not a more disgusting spectacle under the sun than our subserviency to British criticism. It is disgusting, first, because it is truckling, servile, pusillanimous--secondly, because of its gross irrationality. We know the British to bear us little but ill will--we know that, in no case do they utter unbiased opinions of American books . . . we know all this, and yet, day after day, submit our necks to the degrading yoke of the crudest opinion that emanates from the fatherland."
Criticism quotes
Criticism
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Criticism quotes (page 9 of 68)
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"I consider criticism merely a preliminary excitement, a statement of things a writer has to clear up in his own head sometime or other, probably antecedent to writing; of no value unless it come to fruit in the created work later."
"Criticism can be effective when there is something that must be destroyed or dissolved, but it is capable only of harm when there is something to be built."
"The only thing I'm allergic to is criticism."
"If a misplaced admiration shows imbecility, an affected criticism shows vice of character. Expose thyself rather to appear a beast than false."
"To love without criticism is to be betrayed."
"Courage is telling our story, not being immune to criticism."
"There is far too much literary criticism of the wrong kind. That is why I never could have survived as an academic."
"It is healthier, in any case, to write for the adults one's children will become than for the children one's 'mature' critics often are."
"The sway of alcohol over mankind is unquestionably due to its power to stimulate the mystical faculties of human nature, usually crushed to earth by the cold facts and dry criticisms of the sober hour."
"It is just as hard to do your duty when men are sneering at you as when they are shouting at you."
"I'd rather be hissed at for a good verse, than applauded for a bad one."
"Fortunately for me, I know well enough what I want, and am basically utterly indifferent to the criticism that I work to hurriedly. In answer to that, I have done some things even more hurriedly theses last few days."
"I would rather be attacked than unnoticed. For the worst thing you can do to an author is to be silent as to his works."
"All truth is valuable, and satirical criticism may be considered as useful when it rectifies error and improves judgment; he that refines the public taste is a public benefactor."
"To announce there must be no criticism of the president or that we are to stand with the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
"People who avoid all criticism fail. It's destructive criticism we need to avoid, not criticism in all forms."
"I'm fairly competant as a director and actor, but I am Mr. Neurotic as a writer. I just don't have enough confidence in my abilities to take criticism well. I take it personally. Start with 'It's a masterpiece,' and then tell me what you think could be changed."
"What a blessed thing it is, that Nature, when she invented, manufactured, and patented her authors, contrived to make critics out of the chips that were left!"
"Few are there that will leave the secure seclusion of the scholar's life, the peaceful walks of literature and learning, to stand out a target for the criticism of unkind and hostile minds."