Criticism

"Of all the cants which are canted in this canting world—though the cant of hypocrites may be the worst—the cant of criticism is the most tormenting."

"For, poems read without a name, We justly praise, or justly blame; And critics have no partial views, Except they know whom they abuse. And since you ne'er provoke their spite, Depend upon't their judgment's right."

"For since he would sit on a Prophet's seat, As a lord of the Human soul, We needs must scan him from head to feet, Were it but for a wart or a mole."

"Critics are like brushers of noblemen's clothes."

"Why will you be always sallying out to break lances with other people's wind-mills, when your own is not capable of grinding corn for the horse you ride?"

"Grant me patience, just Heaven! Of all the cants which are canted in this canting world — though the cant of hypocrites may be the worst — the cant of criticism is the most tormenting."

"An over-readiness to criticise or to depreciate a minister of Christ is proof of a lack of devotion to Christ."