Give a critic an inch, he'll write a play.
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
Putting it to work
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
A book is like a man - clever and dull, brave and cowardly, beautiful and ugly. For every flowering thought there will be a page like a wet and mangy mongrel, …
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