Quotations: Criticism, judgment, reputation


A regard for reputation and the judgment of the world may sometimes be felt where conscience is dormant.
Thomas Jefferson, American Founding Father and third president (1743-1826), in a letter to Edward Livingston, 1825

There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn. 
Albert Camus, French existentialist novelist (1913-1960)

A critic is a man who knows the way but can’t drive the car. 
Kenneth Tynan, English art historian and critic (1927-1980)

I criticize by creation, not by finding fault.
Cicero (Marcus Tullius), Roman orator, philosopher and statesman (106-43 B.C.)

We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet (1807-1882)

We learn more from welcoming criticism than rendering judgment.
Attributed to Jiri Jelinek, Czech chess champion

To arrive at a just estimate of a renowned man’s character one must judge it by the standards of his time, not ours.
Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), American humorist, author and journalist (1835-1910)

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