Though by whim, envy, or resentment led,
They damn those authors whom they never read.

Though by whim, envy, or resentment led,
They damn those authors whom they never read.

Critics? Don't talk to me of critics! You think some jackanapes journalist, his soul eaten away by the maggots of read more

Critics? Don't talk to me of critics! You think some jackanapes journalist, his soul eaten away by the maggots of jealousy and failure, has anything worthwhile to say of art? I don't.

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where read more

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.

To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.

The most noble criticism is that in which the critic is not the
antagonist so much as the rival read more

The most noble criticism is that in which the critic is not the
antagonist so much as the rival of the author.

Be not the first by whom the new are tried, Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.

Be not the first by whom the new are tried, Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.

What distinguishes modern art from the art of other ages is criticism.

What distinguishes modern art from the art of other ages is criticism.

If you have no will to change it, you have no right to criticize it

If you have no will to change it, you have no right to criticize it

A man must serve his time to every trade
Save censure--critics all are ready made.
Take hackney'd read more

A man must serve his time to every trade
Save censure--critics all are ready made.
Take hackney'd jokes from Miller, got by rote,
With just enough of learning to misquote;
A mind well skill'd to find or forge a fault;
A turn for punning, call it Attic salt;
To Jeffrey go, be silent and discreet,
His pay is just ten sterling pounds per sheet;
Fear not to lie, 'twill seem a lucky hit;
Shrink not from blasphemy, 'twill pass for wit;
Care not for feeling--pass your proper jest,
And stand a critic, hated yet caress'd.