---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see…"
description: "\"Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see, Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be, In every work regard the writer's end, Since none can compas..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40a/alexander-pope-235_applause_whoever-thinks-a-faultless-piece-to-see_1130719.png"
---

#  Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see, Thinks what ne'er…

![“Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see, Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be, In every work regard the writer's end, Since none can compass more than they intend; And if the means be just, the conduct true, Applause, in spite of trivial faults, is due.” quote by Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40a/alexander-pope-235_applause_whoever-thinks-a-faultless-piece-to-see_1130719.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40a/alexander-pope-235_applause_whoever-thinks-a-faultless-piece-to-see_1130719.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40a/alexander-pope-235_applause_whoever-thinks-a-faultless-piece-to-see_1130719.png)

> “Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see, Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be, In every work regard the writer's end, Since none can compass more than they intend; And if the means be just, the conduct true, Applause, in spite of trivial faults, is due.”

[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.

Critics should judge works by their intent and fairness, not by minor flaws.

**In simple terms:** Judge works by intent, not minor errors.

Key Takeaway

Evaluate fairness and purpose over trivial faults.

Themes

critique fairness artistic intent

Mood

thoughtful balanced

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- book reviews
- film analysis
- art exhibitions

Key Concepts

literary criticism ethical judgment

Questions to Reflect On

- Do we often overlook a work’s purpose?
- How can we balance criticism with appreciation?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on minor faults can obscure overall merit.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Applause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/applause/) [Compass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compass/) [Spite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spite/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/)

## Related quotes

> [Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see, Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/whoever-thinks-a-faultless-piece-to-see-thinks-what-ne-er-was-nor-is-2/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [“In ev'ry work regard the writer's end, Since none can compass more than they intend; And if the means be just, the conduct true,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/in-ev-ry-work-regard-the-writer-s-end-since-none-can-compass-more/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [I lose my patience, and I own it too, When works are censur'd, not as bad but new; While if our Elders break all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/i-lose-my-patience-and-i-own-it-too-when-works-are-censur-d-not-as/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [Like Cato, give his little senate laws, and sit attentive to his own applause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/like-cato-give-his-little-senate-laws-and-sit-attentive-to-his-own/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [“A magician must always value his magic effects more than himself, because after few years audience may not remember his name but they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/a-magician-must-always-value-his-magic-effects-more-than-himself/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [If anyone ever boos you off stage, that is simply applause from ghosts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-needles/if-anyone-ever-boos-you-off-stage-that-is-simply-applause-from-ghosts/)

[Sharon Needles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-needles/)

> [“Upon common theaters, indeed, the applause of the audience is of more importance to the actors than their own aprobation. But upon the stage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/upon-common-theaters-indeed-the-applause-of-the-audience-is-of-more/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [The logic of worldly success rests on a fallacy: the strange error that our perfection depends on the thoughts and opinions and applause of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-logic-of-worldly-success-rests-on-a-fallacy-the-strange-error/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [It is clear that the future of freedom and peace depend on the actions of America. This nation is freedom's home, and freedom's defender.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/it-is-clear-that-the-future-of-freedom-and-peace-depend-on-the/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

> [“Those who do soul work, who want the searing truth more than solace or applause, know each other right away. Those who want something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/those-who-do-soul-work-who-want-the-searing-truth-more-than-solace-or/)

[Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/)

> [ All the shows we did pre-airdate, and I'd come out - "Rob Lowe!" - and it was \[Offers bored applause.\] After the show aired?… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-lowe/all-the-shows-we-did-pre-airdate-and-i-d-come-out-rob-lowe-and-it-was/)

[Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-lowe/)

> [“i nod to the other will grayson, up onstage. he nods to me. we have something between us, him and me. but the truth?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/i-nod-to-the-other-will-grayson-up-onstage-he-nods-to-me-we-have/)

[David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/)

> [“An applause is not just the recognition of good performance, but its proof of being different than the crowd.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/an-applause-is-not-just-the-recognition-of-good-performance-but-its/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [“In due course I would learn how to cover up for this event, but on that awful day I knew of nothing to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-pryor/in-due-course-i-would-learn-how-to-cover-up-for-this-event-but-on/)

[Karen Pryor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-pryor/)

> [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/)

[David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/)

## 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 Applause quotes

> [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/)

[David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/)

> [“In due course I would learn how to cover up for this event, but on that awful day I knew of nothing to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-pryor/in-due-course-i-would-learn-how-to-cover-up-for-this-event-but-on/)

[Karen Pryor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-pryor/)

> [“An applause is not just the recognition of good performance, but its proof of being different than the crowd.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/an-applause-is-not-just-the-recognition-of-good-performance-but-its/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [“i nod to the other will grayson, up onstage. he nods to me. we have something between us, him and me. but the truth?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/i-nod-to-the-other-will-grayson-up-onstage-he-nods-to-me-we-have/)

[David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/)

> [ All the shows we did pre-airdate, and I'd come out - "Rob Lowe!" - and it was \[Offers bored applause.\] After the show aired?… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-lowe/all-the-shows-we-did-pre-airdate-and-i-d-come-out-rob-lowe-and-it-was/)

[Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-lowe/)

> [“Those who do soul work, who want the searing truth more than solace or applause, know each other right away. Those who want something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/those-who-do-soul-work-who-want-the-searing-truth-more-than-solace-or/)

[Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/)

> [It is clear that the future of freedom and peace depend on the actions of America. This nation is freedom's home, and freedom's defender.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/it-is-clear-that-the-future-of-freedom-and-peace-depend-on-the/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

> [The logic of worldly success rests on a fallacy: the strange error that our perfection depends on the thoughts and opinions and applause of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-logic-of-worldly-success-rests-on-a-fallacy-the-strange-error/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [“Upon common theaters, indeed, the applause of the audience is of more importance to the actors than their own aprobation. But upon the stage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/upon-common-theaters-indeed-the-applause-of-the-audience-is-of-more/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [If anyone ever boos you off stage, that is simply applause from ghosts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-needles/if-anyone-ever-boos-you-off-stage-that-is-simply-applause-from-ghosts/)

[Sharon Needles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-needles/)

> [“A magician must always value his magic effects more than himself, because after few years audience may not remember his name but they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/a-magician-must-always-value-his-magic-effects-more-than-himself/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When I got through, Duke Ellington stood up and started the applause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-brown/when-i-got-through-duke-ellington-stood-up-and-started-the-applause/)

[Ruth Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-brown/)

> [The beauteous dragonfly's dancing By the waves of the rivulet glancing; She dances here and she dances there, The glimmering, glittering flutterer fair. Full…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-heine/the-beauteous-dragonfly-s-dancing-by-the-waves-of-the-rivulet/)

[Heinrich Heine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-heine/)

> [You can copy, but hold the applause you get the satisfaction of mind can not](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/you-can-copy-but-hold-the-applause-you-get-the-satisfaction-of-mind/)

Mak\_786

> [Qv5YUc A round of applause for your blog.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oem-software-buy/qv5yuc-a-round-of-applause-for-your-blog-really-looking-forward-to/)

Oem Software Buy

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