--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The average English critic is a don…" description: "\"The average English critic is a don manqué, hopelessly parochial when not exaggeratedly teutonophile, over whose desk must surely hang the motto (presu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/007/constant-lambert-48533_average_the-average-english-critic-is-a-don-manq_2561817.jpg" --- # The average English critic is a don manqué, hopelessly… ![“The average English critic is a don manqué, hopelessly parochial when not exaggeratedly teutonophile, over whose desk must surely hang the motto (presumably in Gothic lettering) "Above all no enthusiasm".” quote by Constant Lambert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/007/constant-lambert-48533_average_the-average-english-critic-is-a-don-manq_2561817.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/007/constant-lambert-48533_average_the-average-english-critic-is-a-don-manq_2561817.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/007/constant-lambert-48533_average_the-average-english-critic-is-a-don-manq_2561817.jpg) > “The average English critic is a don manqué, hopelessly parochial when not exaggeratedly teutonophile, over whose desk must surely hang the motto (presumably in Gothic lettering) "Above all no enthusiasm".” [Constant Lambert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constant-lambert/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote satirically describes English critics as overly cautious, narrow-minded, and lacking enthusiasm, implying their judgments are constrained by pretentious standards. **In simple terms:** Critics are portrayed as overly cautious and lacking excitement. Key Takeaway Beware of overly rigid criticism. Themes literary criticism elitism intellectualism cultural commentary humor Mood wry skeptical Type satirical observational When to use this quote - book reviews - academic seminars - publishing decisions - literary awards Key Concepts cultural gatekeeping intellectual arrogance critical theory Questions to Reflect On - Do we value enthusiasm over rigor? - How can criticism stay open yet discerning? A Different Perspective Such stereotypes may overlook genuine insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enthusiasm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enthusiasm/) [Gothic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gothic/) [Motto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motto/) ## Related quotes > [Gothic in its purest sense is actually a very powerful, twisted genre, but the way it was being used by by journalists - 'goff'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siouxsie-sioux/gothic-in-its-purest-sense-is-actually-a-very-powerful-twisted-genre/) [Siouxsie Sioux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siouxsie-sioux/) > [Magic is a state of mind. 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