An author places himself uncalled before the tribunal of criticism and solicits fame at the hazard of disgrace.
Sir, there is no end of negative criticism.
All truth is valuable, and satirical criticism may be considered as useful when it rectifies error and improves judgment; he that refines the public taste is a public benefactor.
The duty of criticism is neither to depreciate nor dignify by partial representations, but to hold out the light of reason, whatever it may discover; and to promulgate the determinations of truth, whatever she shall dictate
Criticism, as it was first instituted by Aristotle, was meant as a standard of judging well.
The ambition of superior sensibility and superior eloquence disposes the lovers of arts to receive rapture at one time, and communicate it at another; and each labors first to impose upon himself and then to propagate the imposture.
The purpose of a writer is to be read, and the criticism which would destroy the power of pleasing must be blown aside
A fly, Sir, may sting a stately horse and make him wince; but, one is but an insect, and the other is a horse still.
He who praises everybody, praises nobody.
I would rather be attacked than unnoticed. For the worst thing you can do to an author is to be silent as to his works.