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Beauty Quote by Dave Eggers

“But criticism, for the most part, comes from the opposite place that book-enjoying should come from. To enjoy art one needs time, patience, and a generous heart, and criticism is done, by and large, by impatient people who have axes to grind. The worst sort of critics are (analogy coming)…” quote by Dave Eggers
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““But criticism, for the most part, comes from the opposite place that book-enjoying should come from. To enjoy art one needs time, patience, and a generous heart, and criticism is done, by and large, by impatient people who have axes to grind. The worst sort of critics are (analogy coming) butterfly collectors - they chase something, ostensibly out of their search for beauty, then, once they get close, they catch that beautiful something, they kill it, they stick a pin through its abdomen, dissect it and label it. The whole process, I find, is not a happy or healthy one. Someone with his or her own shit figured out, without any emotional problems or bitterness or envy, instead of killing that which he loves, will simply let the goddamn butterfly fly, and instead of capturing and killing it and sticking it in a box, will simply point to it - "Hey everyone, look at that beautiful thing" - hoping everyone else will see the beautiful thing he has seen. Just as no one wants to grow up to be an IRS agent, no one should want to grow up to maliciously dissect books. ””

Dave Eggers

About This Quote

Source Essay: “The Art of Criticism,” The New Yorker, 2018

Critics often act out of impatience and envy, harming art rather than appreciating it.

In simple terms: Critics can be destructive due to personal flaws.

Key Takeaway

Approach art with openness, not destructive critique.

Themes

art criticism patience

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

  • reading
  • art appreciation
  • creative work
  • teaching

Key Concepts

psychology aesthetics ethics

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you critique without destroying?
  • What habits foster patient appreciation?
A Different Perspective

Constructive feedback can still be valuable.

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