--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do not beat up on yourself. Do not…" description: "\"Do not beat up on yourself. Do not criticize your writing as lousy, inadequate, stupid, or any of the evil epithets that you are used to heaping on you..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/050/gail-carson-levine-7322_beats_do-not-beat-up-on-yourself-do-not-critic_1854312.jpg" --- # Do not beat up on yourself. Do not criticize your writing… ![“Do not beat up on yourself. Do not criticize your writing as lousy, inadequate, stupid, or any of the evil epithets that you are used to heaping on yourself. Such self-bashing is never useful. If you indulge in it, your writing doesn't stand a chance. So when your mind turns on you, turn it back…” quote by Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/050/gail-carson-levine-7322_beats_do-not-beat-up-on-yourself-do-not-critic_1854312.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/050/gail-carson-levine-7322_beats_do-not-beat-up-on-yourself-do-not-critic_1854312.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/050/gail-carson-levine-7322_beats_do-not-beat-up-on-yourself-do-not-critic_1854312.jpg) > “Do not beat up on yourself. Do not criticize your writing as lousy, inadequate, stupid, or any of the evil epithets that you are used to heaping on yourself. Such self-bashing is never useful. If you indulge in it, your writing doesn't stand a chance. So when your mind turns on you, turn it back, stamp it down, shut it up, and keep writing.” [Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) ## 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 advises against harsh self‑criticism, urging writers to silence negative self‑talk and persistently write despite inner doubts. **In simple terms:** Stop self‑criticism and keep writing. Key Takeaway Silence inner critic, write on. Themes self‑criticism perseverance writing confidence Mood encouraging determined Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - writing sessions - draft revisions - creative blocks - mental health practices Key Concepts growth mindset creative resilience Questions to Reflect On - What strategies help you quiet your inner critic? - How can you turn self‑doubt into productive energy? A Different Perspective Overcoming self‑criticism can be difficult without external support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Epithet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/epithet/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Stamps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stamps/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“Just remember one thing Angela and then I promise I’ll shut up.’      ‘Can I get that in writing?’      ‘You”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-mason/just-remember-one-thing-angela-and-then-i-promise-i-ll-shut-up-can-i/) [Carol Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-mason/) > [In art, all who have done something other than their predecessors have merited the epithet of revolutionary; and it is they alone who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gauguin/in-art-all-who-have-done-something-other-than-their-predecessors-have/) [Paul Gauguin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gauguin/) > [The use of 'conspiracy theory' as a derogatory - as an epithet almost - is something the propagandists have perfected over the decades, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sanders/the-use-of-conspiracy-theory-as-a-derogatory-as-an-epithet-almost-is/) Chris Sanders > [“Fuck a zombie!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlaine-harris/fuck-a-zombie/) [Charlaine Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlaine-harris/) > [The typical atheist rebels against God as a teenager rebels against his parents. When his own desires or standards are not fulfilled in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/the-typical-atheist-rebels-against-god-as-a-teenager-rebels-against/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [Ardent, intelligent, sweet, sensitive, cultivated, erudite. These are the adjectives of praise in an androgynous world. Those who consider them epithets of shame or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-heilbrun/ardent-intelligent-sweet-sensitive-cultivated-erudite-these-are-the/) [Carolyn Heilbrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-heilbrun/) > [Blasphemy is an epithet bestowed by superstition upon common sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/blasphemy-is-an-epithet-bestowed-by-superstition-upon-common-sense/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For God's sake (I never was more serious) don't make me ridiculous any more by terming me gentle-hearted in print.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/for-god-s-sake-i-never-was-more-serious-don-t-make-me-ridiculous-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [ For other great mathematicians or philosophers, he \[Gauss\] used the epithets magnus, or clarus, or clarissimus; for Newton alone he kept the prefix summus. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-other-great-mathematicians-or-philosophers-he-gauss-used-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What praise is implied in the simple epithet useful! What reproach in the contrary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/what-praise-is-implied-in-the-simple-epithet-useful-what-reproach-in/) [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) > [Fascist is not just an epithet. Fascist is a proper noun that means a specific thing. It's a real thing. It's not always referring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/fascist-is-not-just-an-epithet-fascist-is-a-proper-noun-that-means-a/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [In my opinion, using different kinds of epithets and adjectives in connection with the word democracy is a sign of mere hypocrisy, to put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-kasparov/in-my-opinion-using-different-kinds-of-epithets-and-adjectives-in/) [Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-kasparov/) > [Men's thoughts and opinions are in a great degree vassals of him who invents a new phrase or re-applies an old epithet. The thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/men-s-thoughts-and-opinions-are-in-a-great-degree-vassals-of-him-who/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [Ah fair Zenocrate, divine Zenocrate, Fair is too foul an epithet for thee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-marlowe/ah-fair-zenocrate-divine-zenocrate-fair-is-too-foul-an-epithet-for/) [Christopher Marlowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-marlowe/) > [“Some guy hit my fender the other day, and I said unto him, 'Be fruitful, and multiply'. But not in those words.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/some-guy-hit-my-fender-the-other-day-and-i-said-unto-him-be-fruitful/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) ## More by Gail Carson Levine > [My favorite of my books is DAVE AT NIGHT, because it's loosely based on my father's childhood in an orphanage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carson-levine/my-favorite-of-my-books-is-dave-at-night-because-it-s-loosely-based/) [Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) > [I was no hero. The dearest wishes of my heart were for safety and tranquility. The world was a perilous place, wrong for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carson-levine/i-was-no-hero-the-dearest-wishes-of-my-heart-were-for-safety-and/) [Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) > [I shan't marry a prince!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carson-levine/i-shan-t-marry-a-prince/) [Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) > [But what I really long to know you do not tell either: what you feel, although I've given you hints by the score of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carson-levine/but-what-i-really-long-to-know-you-do-not-tell-either-what-you-feel/) [Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) > [“If I couldn't sleep, I could read.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carson-levine/if-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-read/) [Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) > [No music. No rituals. At home I write in my office or on the laptop in the kitchen where our puppy likes to sleep,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carson-levine/no-music-no-rituals-at-home-i-write-in-my-office-or-on-the-laptop-in/) [Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) > [I think kids abandon stories all the time. They start stories and get frustrated or get a different, better idea. I think that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carson-levine/i-think-kids-abandon-stories-all-the-time-they-start-stories-and-get/) [Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) > [Oak, granite, Lilies by the road, Remember me? I remember you. Clouds brushing Clover hills, Remember me? Sister, child, Grown tall, Remember me? I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carson-levine/oak-granite-lilies-by-the-road-remember-me-i-remember-you-clouds/) [Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) > [He is flawless, without a blemish. Majesic . . . muscular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carson-levine/he-is-flawless-without-a-blemish-majesic-muscular/) [Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) > [You see, writing down your meanderings gets something started deep in the recesses of your brain. That distant part of your mind knows that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carson-levine/you-see-writing-down-your-meanderings-gets-something-started-deep-in/) [Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) > [I wonder how Admat can be everywhere. Is he in my sandal? Or is he my sandal itself? Why would a god bother to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carson-levine/i-wonder-how-admat-can-be-everywhere-is-he-in-my-sandal-or-is-he-my/) [Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) > [In books and in life, you need to read several pages before someone's true character is revealed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carson-levine/in-books-and-in-life-you-need-to-read-several-pages-before-someone-s/) [Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) > [And so, with laughter and love, we lived happily ever after.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carson-levine/and-so-with-laughter-and-love-we-lived-happily-ever-after/) [Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) > [I'm solitary as a pulled tooth, Lonely as an unwelcome truth, Lost as a minnow out of school, A genius in a crop of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carson-levine/i-m-solitary-as-a-pulled-tooth-lonely-as-an-unwelcome-truth-lost-as-a/) [Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) > [I loved fairy tales as a kid. I've always been drawn to fantasy. They're always exciting. There's never a dull moment. I just love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carson-levine/i-loved-fairy-tales-as-a-kid-i-ve-always-been-drawn-to-fantasy-they/) [Gail Carson Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) [Explore all 91 Gail Carson Levine quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carson-levine/) ## More Beats quotes > [Histories never conclude; they just pause their prose. Their stories are, if they are truthful, untidy affairs, resistant to windings-up and sortings-out. 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Years from now, we will look back at this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/certainly-these-are-not-easy-times-but-history-does-not-contain-very/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [I usually write from the rhythm section...If a drummer got a funky beat on some things - like a half-shuffle or a shuffle or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/i-usually-write-from-the-rhythm-section-if-a-drummer-got-a-funky-beat/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [If you don't like club beats take a HIT OF E and you will love the music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mccarty/if-you-don-t-like-club-beats-take-a-hit-of-e-and-you-will-love-the/) [Kevin McCarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mccarty/) > [Every pitcher can beat you, it doesn't matter how good you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-bonds/every-pitcher-can-beat-you-it-doesn-t-matter-how-good-you-are/) [Barry Bonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-bonds/) > [Only two to three per cent of an audience is interested in words and pays attention to lyrics; most of the rest of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stewart/only-two-to-three-per-cent-of-an-audience-is-interested-in-words-and/) [Al Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stewart/) > [Joel Lane documents a life we don’t quite live, in a city we can’t quite find: half glimpsed and half imagined, we know it’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chaz-brenchley/joel-lane-documents-a-life-we-don-t-quite-live-in-a-city-we-can-t/) Chaz Brenchley > [Practice to beat the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-bennett/practice-to-beat-the-best/) [Dick Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-bennett/) > [I don't know about the rest of the world, but I know in our region everyone is gunning to beat us. 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