The strength of criticism lies in the weakness of the thing criticized.

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

A man must serve his time to every trade save censure -- critics all are ready made.

Professional critics are incapable of distinguishing and appreciating either diamonds in the rough or gold in bars. They are traders, and in literature know only the coins that are current. Their critical lab has scales and weights, but neither crucible or touchstone.

Blame is safer than praise.

Of all the cants which are canted in this canting world -- though the cant of hypocrites may be the worst -- the cant of criticism is the most tormenting!

It is strange that we do not temper our resentment of criticism with a thought for our many faults which have escaped us.

I am sorry to think that you do not get a man's most effective criticism until you provoke him. Severe truth is expressed with some bitterness.

If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won't amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, then ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.

It is from the womb of art that criticism was born.