Criticism vs. Character

I can appreciate criticism when it doesn't come from critics. Critics generally criticize to satisfy their own pathology.
Furthermore it's hard to build character when you spend most of your time criticizing the passions, work, and lifestyle of others.
With the hope of inspiring the critics to build more character here are some quotes from big thinkers.

About critics and criticism:

"Most of our censure of others is only oblique praise of self, uttered to show the wisdom and superiority of the speaker." - Tryon Edwards

"A critic is a man who prefers the indolence of opinion to the trials of action." - John Mason Brown

"The pleasure of criticism deprives us of that of being deeply moved by beautiful things." - Jean de la Bruyere

"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain--and most fools do." - Dale Carnegie

"What the public criticizes in you, cultivate. It is you." - Jean Cocteau

"It is much easier to be critical than to be correct." - Benjamin Disraeli

"There are no exceptions to the rule that everybody likes to be an exception to the rule." - Malcolm Forbes

"It behooves the minor critic, who hunts for blemishes, to be a little distrustful of his own sagacity. - Junius

And finally...
"Stones and sticks are thrown at fruit-bearing trees." - Sa'di.


About character and building character:

"Wherever man goes to dwell, his character goes with him." - African proverb

"Character is that which reveals moral purpose, exposing the class of things a man chooses or avoids." - Aristotle

"Good taste is the modesty of the mind; that is why it cannot be imitated or acquired." - Emile de Girardin

"Character is destiny." - Heraclitus

"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who can do nothing for them or to them." - Malcolm Forbes

"I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do: that is character!" - Theodore Roosevelt

"Character is the real foundation of all worthwhile success." - John Hays Hammond

"Character is power; it makes friends, draws patronage and support, and opens a sure way to wealth, honor and happiness." - John Howe

Now imagine replacing the word character with the word criticism in each of the above quotes. Can't be done.

Posted by Michael Port on March 24, 2007