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Neither praise nor blame is the object of true criticism. Justly to discriminate, firmly to establish, wisely to prescribe and honestly to award — these are the true aims and duties of criticism.

— William Gilmore Simms

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Advice

More quotes by William Gilmore Simms

The only rational liberty is that which is born of subjection, reared in the fear of God and the love of man.

Most men remember obligations, but not often to be grateful; the proud are made sour by the remembrance, and the vain silent.

It should console us for the fact that sin has not totally disappeared from the world, that the saints are not wholly deprived of employment.

There is no doubt such a thing as chance, but I see no reason why Providence should not make use of it.

The only true source of politeness is consideration.

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A man must serve his time to every trade
Save censure — critics are ready-made.

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The physician can bury his mistakes, but the architect can only advise his clients to plant vines.

Frank Lloyd Wright

Parodies and caricatures are the most penetrating of criticisms.

Aldous Huxley Point Counter Point (1928)

Let no man value at a little price
A virtuous woman's counsel; her wing'd spirit
Is feather'd oftentimes with heavenly words.

George Chapman The Gentleman Usher (1606)

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: William Gilmore Simms (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.