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About this quote

What does it mean?
Critics who are given small room will expand their influence significantly. It warns against underestimating critical commentary.
In plain terms
If you let critics say a little, they will take over.
What can you take from it?
Be careful not to give critics too much room to expand.

Where it applies

  • feedback sessions
  • public debates
  • media coverage

Putting it to work

  • limiting commentary
  • setting rules
  • managing reviews

Questions to consider

  • How much influence should critics have?
  • Where do you draw the line with feedback?

Another view

Some critics contribute value without taking over.

More from John Steinbeck

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  3. He doesn't belong to a race clever enough to split the atom but not clever enough to live at peace with itself.

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