There are two modes of criticism. One which ... crushes to earth without mercy all the humble buds of Phantasy, all the plants that, though green and fruitful, are also a prey to insects or have suffered by drouth. It weeds well the garden, and cannot believe the weed in its native soil may be a pretty, graceful plant. There is another mode which enters into the natural history of every thing that breathes and lives, which believes no impulse to be entirely in vain, which scrutinizes circumstances, motive and object before it condemns, and believes there is a beauty in natural form, if its law and purpose be understood.

Essays, entitled critical, are epistles addressed to the public, through which the mind of the recluse relieves itself of its impressions.

It is not because the touch of genius has roused genius to production, but because the admiration of genius has made talent ambitious, that the harvest is stil…

It does not follow because many books are written by persons born in America that there exists an American literature. Books which imitate or represent the tho…

One becomes a critic when one cannot be an artist, just as a man becomes a stool pigeon when he cannot be a soldier.

When working on my choreography I am not always receptive to outside suggestions or opinions. I believe that if you have something in mind in the way of a crea…

It is human nature to want to exchange ideas, and I believe that, at bottom, every artist wants no more than to tell the world what he has to say. I have somet…