Criticism can sting, but it often holds a mirror to our growth. Famous thinkers have shared sharp insights on this topic. Their words can guide you through tough times and help you see criticism in a new light.
This list of the best criticism quotes offers wisdom from various voices. Let these quotes remind you that criticism, when accepted with grace, can lead to personal and professional improvements.
Wise Criticism Quotes
“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.”
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you’ll be criticized anyway.”
“People ask you for criticism, but they only want praise.”
“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.”
“Don’t criticize what you don’t understand, son. You never walked in that man’s shoes.”
“Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.”
“I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses.”
“Blame is safer than praise.”
“Critics are men who watch a battle from a high place then come down and shoot the survivors.”
“The dread of criticism is the death of genius.”
“He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.”
“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.”
“To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.”
“The final proof of greatness lies in being able to endure criticism without resentment.”
“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.”
“Some people have such good taste they can’t enjoy anything.”
“The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.”
“If we had no faults, we should not take so much pleasure in noting those of others.”
“Don’t pay any attention to what they write about you. Just measure it in inches.”
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.”
“The artist doesn’t have time to listen to the critics. The ones who want to be writers read the reviews; the ones who want to write don’t have the time to read reviews.”
“There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.”
“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.”
“Listen to your critics. Because no statue has ever been erected to a critic.”
“It’s easier to criticize than to correct.”
“Criticism comes easier than craftsmanship.”
Motivational Quotes on Criticism
“Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.”
“The only way to avoid criticism is to do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.”
“To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.”
“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.”
“The final proof of greatness lies in being able to endure criticism without resentment.”
“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.”
“Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember—the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you.”
“Critics are men who watch a battle from a high place then come down and shoot the survivors.”
“Sandwiched enough between praise and criticism, change becomes a given.”
“The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.”
“Criticism is an indirect form of self-boasting.”
“To escape criticism—do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.”
“Constructive criticism is about finding something good and positive to soften the blow to the real critique of what really went on.”
“He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.”
“You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.”
“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.”
“If we have no critics, we’ll likely have no success.”
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right—for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.”
“Don’t be afraid of criticism; it helps you transform into the best version of yourself.”
“Criticism is easy; achievement is difficult.”
“Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn’t people feel as free to delight in whatever remains to them?”
“Criticism is the disapproval of people, not for having faults, but for having faults different from your own.”
“Take heed of critics; they have eyes to see what’s commendable in your work.”
“One mustn’t criticize other people on grounds where he can’t stand perpendicular himself.”
“Criticism is the best sign you’re on the right path. No one ever criticizes something that isn’t awesome.”
“Rather than condemning others, let’s change the world through grace and love, for criticism builds walls, but kindness builds bridges.”
“The only way to silence a critic is to prove them wrong.”
“True criticism always leaves a temporary scar, but it also lends the strength to build a fortress.”
Famous Criticism Quotes
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”
“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.”
“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain – and most fools do.”
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.”
“Don’t criticize what you can’t understand.”
“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.”
“He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.”
“I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses.”
“Criticism is the best sign you’re relevant.”
“Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger.”
“Criticism comes easier than craftsmanship.”
“A critic is someone who never actually goes to the battle, yet who afterwards comes out shooting the wounded.”
“Criticism is an indirect form of self-boasting.”
“While we would love to have no criticism, probably if we had no critique, we wouldn’t be doing anything meaningful.”
“Often those that criticize others reveal what he himself lacks.”
“It is easier to be critical than correct.”
“Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.”
“There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.”
“Do not correct a fool, or he will hate you; correct a wise man, and he will appreciate you.”
“Often the critics are in the wrong; they see rebels where only outsiders exist.”
“Criticism always sounds hollow when we’re not willing to do the work ourselves.”
“Remember: when people tell you something’s wrong or doesn’t work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.”
“Criticism is something you can easily avoid by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.”
“Artists are especially intolerant of criticism.”
“Some people find fault like there is a reward for it.”
“Every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration. Constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought.”
“The final proof of greatness lies in being able to endure criticism without resentment.”
Constructive Criticism Quotes
“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.”
“The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.”
“To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”
“Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger.”
“A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment.”
“Criticism is an indirect form of self-boasting.”
“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.”
“You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.”
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.”
“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain – and most fools do.”
“I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses.”
“We need very strong ears to endure ourselves faithfully being judged.”
“Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.”
“Criticism is an act of love, for when one truly loves, one must speak out against all that would destroy the beloved.”
“An insult is either sustained or destroyed, not by the disposition of those who insult, but by the disposition of those who bear it.”
“Everything is a subject to critique. If we fail to criticize, we fail to understand it fully.”
“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.”
“Feedback is the breakfast of champions.”
“Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember, the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you.”
“Constructive criticism is about finding something good and positive to soften the blow to the real critique of what really went on.”
“If your heart acquires strength, you will be able to remove blemishes from others without thinking evil of them.”
“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.”
“The object of all criticism is the elucidation of works of art and the correction of taste.”
“To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”
“Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger.”
“A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment.”
“Criticism is an indirect form of self-boasting.”
Inspirational Quotes about Criticism
“Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.”
“To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.”
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right–for you’ll be criticized anyway.”
“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.”
“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.”
“You’re going to get criticized anyway, so you might as well do what you want.”
“Don’t pay any attention to what they write about you. Just measure it in inches.”
“I have no right, by anything I do or say, to demean a human being in his own eyes. What matters is not what I think of him; it is what he thinks of himself. To undermine a man’s self-respect is a sin.”
“Criticism is a privilege that you earn–it shouldn’t be your opening move in an interaction.”
“The only way to escape criticism is to do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.”
“I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses.”
“Do not let criticism or your own fear of it paralyze you. If you want to be great, you must learn to accept criticism as well as applause.”
“The artist doesn’t have time to listen to the critics. The ones who want to be writers read the reviews, the ones who want to write don’t have the time to read reviews.”
“In the arena of human life, the honors and rewards fall to those who show their good qualities in action.”
“People ask you for criticism, but they only want praise.”
“Blame is safer than praise.”
“Often those that criticize others reveal what he himself lacks.”
“It’s not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.”
“Every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration. Constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought.”
“You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.”
“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.”
“Criticism is an indirect form of self-boasting.”
“There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.”
“Criticism is the best sign you’re onto something great.”
“Do not waste yourself in rejection, nor bark against the bad, but chant the beauty of the good.”
“The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.”
“He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.”
Powerful Quotes on Handling Criticism
“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.”
“To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”
“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.”
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.”
“The final proof of greatness lies in being able to endure criticism without resentment.”
“If we had no faults, we should not take so much pleasure in noting those of others.”
“He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.”
“Don’t pay any attention to what they write about you. Just measure it in inches.”
“Criticism is something you can easily avoid by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.”
“The trouble with most of us is that we’d rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.”
“Remember: when people tell you that something can’t be done, it’s a reflection of their limitations, not yours.”
“Some people have a way with words, and other people… oh, uh, not have way.”
“If you’re not criticized, you may not be doing much.”
“People tend to criticize their opposites precisely because they don’t understand them.”
“Don’t let compliments go to your head and don’t let criticism get to your heart.”
“In a mad world, only the mad are sane.”
“Criticism is the best sign you’re on the right path towards success.”
“Having enemies is a good thing. It means you stood up for something.”
“You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”
“The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.”
“Often those that criticize others reveal what he himself lacks.”
“It’s not the critic who counts; it’s the man who actually is in the arena.”
“You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.”
“Most people have been brainwashed into believing that their job is to copyedit the world, not to design it.”
“Do not fear criticism. The tallest trees are always confronted by the strongest winds.”
“Your harshest critic is always going to be yourself. Don’t ignore that critic but don’t give it more attention than it deserves.”
“Judge not, before you judge yourself. Judge not, if you’re not ready for judgment.”
Profound Sayings on Accepting Criticism
“To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.”
“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.”
“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.”
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right–for you’ll be criticized anyway.”
“The art of accepting criticism is the art of turning lemons into lemonade.”
“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.”
“Don’t let compliments go to your head and don’t let criticism into your heart.”
“Turn criticism into creativity and pain into purpose.”
“He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.”
“People ask you for criticism, but they only want praise.”
“The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.”
“Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger.”
“The final proof of greatness lies in being able to endure criticism without resentment.”
“I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses.”
“Most people have been brainwashed into believing that their job is to copyedit the world, not to design it.”
“You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.”
“Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.”
“Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember, the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you.”
“Accept criticism gracefully, for it denotes that you are a person of value.”
“It is better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a foolish one.”
“There is no defense against criticism except obscurity.”
“In the mirror of criticism, one reflects inwardly to see where true improvement lies.”
“Criticism is an indirect form of self-boasting.”
“Feedback is the breakfast of champions.”
“Criticism is the best sign you’re growing.”
“Lay a firm foundation with the bricks others throw at you.”
“Embrace criticism; it will guide you towards a clearer destination.”
Conclusion
Choosing the right criticism quote can offer understanding and strength in challenging times. It’s important to view criticism not as a setback, but as a chance to learn and grow. The quotes we shared can help you see feedback in a new light, encouraging you to face it with an open mind and positive attitude.
As you explore these quotes, try to reflect on their meanings and think about how they might apply to your own life. They remind us that criticism is a tool for personal growth and self-improvement. Keep these words close, and let them inspire you to handle criticism with grace and wisdom.
