Sunday 20 March 2011

Quotes about Criticism

Here's the next section of quotes from my book 1000 Great Quotations for Business, Management & Training.

To knock a thing down, especially if it is cocked at an arrogant angle, is a deep delight of the blood.
George Santayana, US philosopher, poet (1863-1952)

Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, a stranger.
Franklin P Jones, US journalist, humorist (1908-1980)

I can take any amount of criticism, so long as it is unqualified praise.
Noel Coward, British actor, playwright, composer (1899-1973)

We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter.
Denis Diderot, French philosopher (1713-1784)

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
Albert Einstein, German physicist (1879-1955)

Too many of us take pleasure in discouraging people by pointing out their mistakes and getting excited about their failures rather than focusing on their strengths and getting excited about their possibilities.
John C Maxwell, US clergyman, author (b. 1947)

For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.


People spend too much time finding other people to blame, too much energy finding excuses for not being what they are capable of being, and not enough energy putting themselves on the line, growing out of the past, and getting on with their lives.
J Michael Straczynski, US science fiction writer, producer (b. 1954)

Evaluation of performance, merit rating, or annual review nourishes short-term performance, annihilates long-term planning, builds fear, demolishes teamwork, nourishes rivalry and politics. It leaves people bitter, crushed, battered, desolate, despondent, rejected, feeling inferior, some even depressed, unfit for work for weeks after receipt of rating, unable to comprehend why they are inferior.
W Edwards Deming, US statistician, author (1900-1993)

Don’t find fault, find a remedy.
Henry Ford, US automobile manufacturer, engineer (1863-1947)

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