--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Cavil you may, but never criticise." description: "\"Cavil you may, but never criticise.\" — Alexander Pope" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/022/alexander-pope-235_criticise_cavil-you-may-but-never-criticise-767045_767045.png" --- # Cavil you may, but never criticise. ![“Cavil you may, but never criticise.” quote by Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/022/alexander-pope-235_criticise_cavil-you-may-but-never-criticise-767045_767045.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/022/alexander-pope-235_criticise_cavil-you-may-but-never-criticise-767045_767045.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/022/alexander-pope-235_criticise_cavil-you-may-but-never-criticise-767045_767045.png) > “Cavil you may, but never criticise.” [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Criticism should be constructive, not merely a vehicle for fault‑finding. **In simple terms:** Critique wisely, avoid pointless criticism. Key Takeaway Offer helpful feedback. Themes criticism humility constructive Mood analytical thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - academic settings - work reviews - online forums - personal growth Key Concepts literary analysis dialogue self‑improvement Questions to Reflect On - When is criticism beneficial? - How can we balance honesty with kindness? A Different Perspective Some criticism can be harsh and unproductive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cavil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cavil-5937692/) [Cavil Criticise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cavil-criticise-5937693/) [Criticise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticise/) [Critics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critics/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) ## Related quotes > [Choosing how you live should be up to you not the people that would criticise your well being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-hayward/choosing-how-you-live-should-be-up-to-you-not-the-people-that-would/) [Courtney Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-hayward/) > [A country where a man is afraid to criticise another one is no socialist country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enver-hoxha/a-country-where-a-man-is-afraid-to-criticise-another-one-is-no/) [Enver Hoxha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enver-hoxha/) > [“Wanamaker learned this lesson early, but I personally had to blunder through this old world for a third of a century before it even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/wanamaker-learned-this-lesson-early-but-i-personally-had-to-blunder/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Criticise us on our cricket but don't get abusive with us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarfaraz-ahmed/criticise-us-on-our-cricket-but-don-t-get-abusive-with-us/) [Sarfaraz Ahmed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarfaraz-ahmed/) > [Some people will always think I've got the eyes of Satan. Others will think I'm a TV god. People have the right to criticise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-kyle/some-people-will-always-think-i-ve-got-the-eyes-of-satan-others-will/) [Jeremy Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-kyle/) > [I wouldn't criticise Carlo Ancelotti.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-villas-boas/i-wouldn-t-criticise-carlo-ancelotti/) [Andre Villas-Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-villas-boas/) > [Some people will appreciate U Some will criticize U In both d case U are d beneficiary One will motivate U, while d other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blossom/some-people-will-appreciate-u-some-will-criticize-u-in-both-d-case-u/) [Blossom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blossom/) > [To criticise a person for their race is a manifestly irrational and ridiculous. But to criticise their religion - that is a right. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-atkinson/to-criticise-a-person-for-their-race-is-a-manifestly-irrational-and/) [Rowan Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-atkinson/) > [Personally, I hope that we British continue to criticise America - just as I hope Americans will criticise us. That is what friends do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/personally-i-hope-that-we-british-continue-to-criticise-america-just/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [“Who is the wrong person to criticise? You”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/who-is-the-wrong-person-to-criticise-you/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [In my world, I have to keep my counsel at times, accept players are going to criticise various things, accuse you of various things.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-pardew/in-my-world-i-have-to-keep-my-counsel-at-times-accept-players-are/) [Alan Pardew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-pardew/) > [A law which attempts to say you can criticise and ridicule ideas as long as they are not religious ideas is a very peculiar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-atkinson/a-law-which-attempts-to-say-you-can-criticise-and-ridicule-ideas-as/) [Rowan Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-atkinson/) > [It was just this interesting, my first, the first time you hear your child in any way criticize you. It's the worst review of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tea-leoni/it-was-just-this-interesting-my-first-the-first-time-you-hear-your/) [Tea Leoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tea-leoni/) > [The worst thing is when people criticise you and you go, 'Yeah, you're right.' It's really hard to take.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buckley/the-worst-thing-is-when-people-criticise-you-and-you-go-yeah-you-re/) [James Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-buckley/) > [It's not a gift of mine, but one given to me, to be able to criticise myself and not be crushed, by myself or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/it-s-not-a-gift-of-mine-but-one-given-to-me-to-be-able-to-criticise/) [John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/) ## More by Alexander Pope > [How do we know that we have a right to kill creatures that we are so little above, as dogs, for our curiosity or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/how-do-we-know-that-we-have-a-right-to-kill-creatures-that-we-are-so/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [To wake the soul by tender strokes of art, To raise the genius, and to mend the heart; To make mankind, in conscious virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/to-wake-the-soul-by-tender-strokes-of-art-to-raise-the-genius-and-to/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [A mighty maze! But not without a plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/a-mighty-maze-but-not-without-a-plan/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Let such teach others who themselves excel, And censure freely who have written well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/let-such-teach-others-who-themselves-excel-and-censure-freely-who/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [For I, who hold sage Homer's rule the best, Welcome the coming, speed the going guest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/for-i-who-hold-sage-homer-s-rule-the-best-welcome-the-coming-speed/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Like following life through creatures you dissect, You lose it in the moment you detect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/like-following-life-through-creatures-you-dissect-you-lose-it-in-the/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [When two people compliment each other with the choice of anything, each of them generally gets that which he likes least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/when-two-people-compliment-each-other-with-the-choice-of-anything/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Such labour'd nothings, in so strange a style, Amaze th' unlearn'd and make the learned smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/such-labour-d-nothings-in-so-strange-a-style-amaze-th-unlearn-d-and/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-the-soul/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [She went from opera, park, assembly, play, To morning walks, and prayers three hours a day. To part her time 'twixt reading and bohea,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/she-went-from-opera-park-assembly-play-to-morning-walks-and-prayers/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [I am satisfied to trifle away my time, rather than let it stick by me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/i-am-satisfied-to-trifle-away-my-time-rather-than-let-it-stick-by-me/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [The greatest advantage I know of being thought a wit by the world is, that it gives one the greater freedom of playing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/the-greatest-advantage-i-know-of-being-thought-a-wit-by-the-world-is/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Then say not Man's imperfect,Heav'n in fault; Say rather, Man's as perfect ashe ought:](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/then-say-not-man-s-imperfect-heav-n-in-fault-say-rather-man-s-as/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [First follow Nature, and your judgment frame By her just standard, which is still the same: Unerring nature, still divinely bright, One clear, unchanged,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/first-follow-nature-and-your-judgment-frame-by-her-just-standard/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Who shall decide when doctors disagree, And soundest casuists doubt, like you and me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/who-shall-decide-when-doctors-disagree-and-soundest-casuists-doubt/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) [Explore all 850 Alexander Pope quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## More Criticise quotes > [Choosing how you live should be up to you not the people that would criticise your well being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-hayward/choosing-how-you-live-should-be-up-to-you-not-the-people-that-would/) [Courtney Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-hayward/) > [The worst thing is when people criticise you and you go, 'Yeah, you're right.' It's really hard to take.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buckley/the-worst-thing-is-when-people-criticise-you-and-you-go-yeah-you-re/) [James Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-buckley/) > [It was just this interesting, my first, the first time you hear your child in any way criticize you. It's the worst review of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tea-leoni/it-was-just-this-interesting-my-first-the-first-time-you-hear-your/) [Tea Leoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tea-leoni/) > [A law which attempts to say you can criticise and ridicule ideas as long as they are not religious ideas is a very peculiar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-atkinson/a-law-which-attempts-to-say-you-can-criticise-and-ridicule-ideas-as/) [Rowan Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-atkinson/) > [In my world, I have to keep my counsel at times, accept players are going to criticise various things, accuse you of various things.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-pardew/in-my-world-i-have-to-keep-my-counsel-at-times-accept-players-are/) [Alan Pardew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-pardew/) > [“Who is the wrong person to criticise? You”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/who-is-the-wrong-person-to-criticise-you/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [Personally, I hope that we British continue to criticise America - just as I hope Americans will criticise us. That is what friends do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-esler/personally-i-hope-that-we-british-continue-to-criticise-america-just/) [Gavin Esler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-esler/) > [To criticise a person for their race is a manifestly irrational and ridiculous. But to criticise their religion - that is a right. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-atkinson/to-criticise-a-person-for-their-race-is-a-manifestly-irrational-and/) [Rowan Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-atkinson/) > [Some people will appreciate U Some will criticize U In both d case U are d beneficiary One will motivate U, while d other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blossom/some-people-will-appreciate-u-some-will-criticize-u-in-both-d-case-u/) [Blossom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blossom/) > [I wouldn't criticise Carlo Ancelotti.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-villas-boas/i-wouldn-t-criticise-carlo-ancelotti/) [Andre Villas-Boas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-villas-boas/) > [Some people will always think I've got the eyes of Satan. Others will think I'm a TV god. People have the right to criticise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-kyle/some-people-will-always-think-i-ve-got-the-eyes-of-satan-others-will/) [Jeremy Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-kyle/) > [Criticise us on our cricket but don't get abusive with us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarfaraz-ahmed/criticise-us-on-our-cricket-but-don-t-get-abusive-with-us/) [Sarfaraz Ahmed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarfaraz-ahmed/) > [“Wanamaker learned this lesson early, but I personally had to blunder through this old world for a third of a century before it even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/wanamaker-learned-this-lesson-early-but-i-personally-had-to-blunder/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [A country where a man is afraid to criticise another one is no socialist country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enver-hoxha/a-country-where-a-man-is-afraid-to-criticise-another-one-is-no/) [Enver Hoxha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enver-hoxha/) > [It's not a gift of mine, but one given to me, to be able to criticise myself and not be crushed, by myself or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-malkovich/it-s-not-a-gift-of-mine-but-one-given-to-me-to-be-able-to-criticise/) [John Malkovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-malkovich/) [Browse all 214 Criticise quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticise/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Cavil you may, but never criticise.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alexander Pope" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/cavil-you-may-but-never-criticise/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Criticise" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/cavil-you-may-but-never-criticise/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/022/alexander-pope-235_criticise_cavil-you-may-but-never-criticise-767045_767045.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/022/alexander-pope-235_criticise_cavil-you-may-but-never-criticise-767045_767045.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/022/alexander-pope-235_criticise_cavil-you-may-but-never-criticise-767045_767045.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Cavil you may, but never criticise.” — Alexander Pope", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alexander Pope", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Cavil you may, but never criticise.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/cavil-you-may-but-never-criticise/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/cavil-you-may-but-never-criticise/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```