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Of his shallow species there is not a more unfortunate, empty and conceited animal than that which is generally known by the name of a critic
It is ridiculous for any man to criticize the works of another if he has not distinguished himself by his own performances
I never knew a critic who made it his business to lash the faults of other writers that was not guilty of greater himself - as the hangman is generally a worse malefactor than the criminal that suffers by his hand
A true critic ought rather to dwell upon excellences than imperfections, to discern the concealed beauties of a writer, and communicate to the world such things as are worth their observation
There is no defense against criticism except obscurity
I criticize by creation - not by finding fault
The care of the critic should be to distinguish error from inability, faults of inexperience from defects of nature
Critics, like the rest of mankind, are very frequently misled by interest
The pleasure we feel in criticizing robs us from being moved by very beautiful things
Criticism should not be querulous and wasting, all knife and rootpuller, but guiding, instructive, inspiring
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On Anger: "For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind."
Essays
Essays
On Destiny: "Our destiny exercises its influence over us even when, as yet, we have not learned its nature: it is our future that lays down the law of our today."
Human, All Too Human
Human, All Too Human
On Friendship: "A crowd is not company; and faces are but a gallery of pictures; and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love."
Essays
Essays