You know who critics are?--the men who have failed in literature
and art.

You know who critics are?--the men who have failed in literature
and art.

Even the lion has to defend himself against flies.

Even the lion has to defend himself against flies.

But, spite of all the criticising elves,
Those who would make us feel, must feel themselves.

But, spite of all the criticising elves,
Those who would make us feel, must feel themselves.

There are come Critics so with Spleen diseased,
They scarcely come inclining to be pleased:
And sure read more

There are come Critics so with Spleen diseased,
They scarcely come inclining to be pleased:
And sure he must have more than mortal Skill,
Who please one against his Will.

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

Blame is safer than praise.

Blame is safer than praise.

Ill writers are usually the sharpest censors.

Ill writers are usually the sharpest censors.

Too nicely Jonson knew the critic's part,
Nature in him was almost lost in art.

Too nicely Jonson knew the critic's part,
Nature in him was almost lost in art.

Criticism, as it was first instituted by Aristotle, was meant as a standard of judging well.

Criticism, as it was first instituted by Aristotle, was meant as a standard of judging well.