Over 40,000 Famous Quotes Sorted By Topic and Author

When I read the rules of criticism, I immediately inquire after the works of the author who has written them, and by that means discover what it is he likes in a composition.

He was in Logic, a great critic, Profoundly skill'd in Analytic; He could distinguish, and divide A hair 'twixt south and south-west side.

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.

As soon Seek roses in December--ice in June, Hope, constancy in wind, or corn in chaff; Believe a woman or an epitaph, Or any other thing that's false, before You trust in critics.

Said the pot to the kettle, "Get away, blackface."

Who shall dispute what the Reviewers say? Their word's sufficient; and to ask a reason, In such a state as theirs, is downright treason.

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

A servile race Who, in mere want of fault, all merit place; Who blind obedience pay to ancient schools, Bigots to Greece, and slaves to musty rules.

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

I criticize by creation--not by finding fault.

Reviewers are usually people who would have been poets, historians, biographers, etc., if they could: they have tried their talents at one or the other, and have failed; therefore they turn critics.

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

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.

Criticism is easy, and art is difficult.

The press, the pulpit, and the stage, Conspire to censure and expose our age.

It is much easier to be critical that to be correct.

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

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

Those who do not read criticism will rarely merit to be criticised.

Ill writers are usually the sharpest censors.