Criticism is properly the rod of divination: a hazel switch for the discovery of buried treasure, not a birch twig for the castigation of offenders.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Criticism should be used to discover value, not to punish people.
- In plain terms
- Criticism is for finding good things, not for scolding people.
- What can you take from it?
- Constructive criticism aims to uncover merit rather than blame.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What is the point of criticism?
- How do you give feedback?
Another view
Not all criticism can avoid being punitive.
More from Arthur Symons
Here in a little lonely room I am master of earth and sea, And the planets come to me.
Permalink to quote #4 What we ask of him is, that he should find out for us more than we can find out for ourselves.... He must have the passion of a lover.
Permalink to quote #6 My soul is like this cloudy, flaming opal ring.
Permalink to quote #3
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