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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.
Who shall dispute what the Reviewers say?
Their word's sufficient; and to ask a reason,
In such read more
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.
I criticize by creation--not by finding fault.
I criticize by creation--not by finding fault.
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.
The rule in carving holds good as to criticism; never cut with a knife what you can cut with a read more
The rule in carving holds good as to criticism; never cut with a knife what you can cut with a spoon.
Honest criticism is hard to take - especially when it comes from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a read more
Honest criticism is hard to take - especially when it comes from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger.
The public is the only critic whose opinion is worth anything at all.
The public is the only critic whose opinion is worth anything at all.
They who write ill, and they who ne'er durst write,
Turn critics out of mere revenge and spite.
They who write ill, and they who ne'er durst write,
Turn critics out of mere revenge and spite.
It is much easier to be critical that to be correct.
It is much easier to be critical that to be correct.