Books Quote by Charles Caleb Colton
“Criticism discloses that which it would fain conceal, but conceals that which it professes to disclose; it is therefore, read by the discerning, not to discover the merits of an author, but the motives of his critic.”
About This Quote
Criticism often reveals the critic’s motives more than the author's merits.
In simple terms: Criticism shows the critic more than the writer.
Key Takeaway
Read criticism for hidden motives.
Themes
literature
criticism
motivation
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- book reviews
- academic essays
- media commentary
- personal feedback
Key Concepts
bias
interpretation
authorial intent
Questions to Reflect On
- What biases affect your reading of criticism?
- How to separate critic’s motive from work’s merit?
A Different Perspective
Critic’s bias can distort true evaluation.
![“Whenever the communists are under fire, it [the term "red-baiter"] has served to divert attention from the subject matter to futile discussion of personal motives, the critic’s private life and other deliberate tricks of befuddlement.” quote by Eugene Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/294/eugene-lyons-96062_communism_whenever-the-communists-are-under-fire-i_449530.jpg)
