--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Criticism does not make you smarter or…" description: "\"Criticism does not make you smarter or better than the one you are criticizing. In fact, the stuff you are critical of in others is the same stuff you ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/iyanla-vanzant-557_about-yourself_criticism-does-not-make-you-smarter-or-b_564144.png" --- # Criticism does not make you smarter or better than the one… ![“Criticism does not make you smarter or better than the one you are criticizing. In fact, the stuff you are critical of in others is the same stuff you don't like about yourself.” quote by Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/iyanla-vanzant-557_about-yourself_criticism-does-not-make-you-smarter-or-b_564144.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/iyanla-vanzant-557_about-yourself_criticism-does-not-make-you-smarter-or-b_564144.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/iyanla-vanzant-557_about-yourself_criticism-does-not-make-you-smarter-or-b_564144.png) > “Criticism does not make you smarter or better than the one you are criticizing. In fact, the stuff you are critical of in others is the same stuff you don't like about yourself.” [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Criticism reveals personal insecurities; we project our own flaws onto others. **In simple terms:** We criticize others because we dislike those traits in ourselves. Key Takeaway Reflect before judging others. Themes psychology self-awareness relationships Mood introspective empathetic Type self-help philosophical When to use this quote - personal relationships - workplace dynamics - self-improvement Key Concepts projection self-critique growth Questions to Reflect On - What parts of yourself do you see in others? - Can criticism become a tool for self-growth? A Different Perspective Self-criticism can also be constructive if balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [About yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about-yourself/) [Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) ## Related quotes > [Today, decide not to speak negatively about yourself. When you criticize yourself, you are criticizing God’s very own creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/today-decide-not-to-speak-negatively-about-yourself-when-you/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [Criticizing others is a dangerous thing, not so much because you may make mistakes about them, but because you may be revealing the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-medina/criticizing-others-is-a-dangerous-thing-not-so-much-because-you-may/) Harold Medina > [The criticism does not hurt because I have always been my own worst critic. I wouldn't say I don't respect other people's opinions, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-mccoy/the-criticism-does-not-hurt-because-i-have-always-been-my-own-worst/) [Tony McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-mccoy/) > [Criticism does not disturb me, for I am my own severest critic. Always in my playing I strive to surpass myself, and it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jascha-heifetz/criticism-does-not-disturb-me-for-i-am-my-own-severest-critic-always/) [Jascha Heifetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jascha-heifetz/) > [It is peculiar to “ressentiment criticism” that it does not seriously desire that its demands be fulfilled. It does not want to cure the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-scheler/it-is-peculiar-to-ressentiment-criticism-that-it-does-not-seriously/) [Max Scheler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-scheler/) > [“To study one good master till you understand him will teach you more than a superficial acquaintance with a thousand: power of criticism does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/to-study-one-good-master-till-you-understand-him-will-teach-you-more/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [Valid criticism does you a favor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/valid-criticism-does-you-a-favor/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [Donald Trump does not take criticism well, nor does he appreciate reporting on his life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-noah/donald-trump-does-not-take-criticism-well-nor-does-he-appreciate/) [Trevor Noah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-noah/) > [Criticism does not constitute violence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-knowles/criticism-does-not-constitute-violence/) [Michael J. Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-knowles/) > [It is in the nature of science that once a position becomes orthodox it should be suggested to criticism… It does not follow that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maynard-smith/it-is-in-the-nature-of-science-that-once-a-position-becomes-orthodox/) [John Maynard Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maynard-smith/) > [Whether you voted for me or not, going through the Democratic process had made me a better candidate. I am a smarter, better candidate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/whether-you-voted-for-me-or-not-going-through-the-democratic-process/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [I'm working on a bunch of things with my daughter Emily. In some ways, she's a smarter and better editor than I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-maclachlan/i-m-working-on-a-bunch-of-things-with-my-daughter-emily-in-some-ways/) [Patricia MacLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-maclachlan/) > [You may be more talented than me. You might be smarter than me. And you may be better looking than me. But if we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-may-be-more-talented-than-me-you-might-be-smarter-than-me-and-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [President Obama is so much smarter and a better communicator than members of Congress in either party. The contrast, side by side, is almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-chait/president-obama-is-so-much-smarter-and-a-better-communicator-than/) [Jonathan Chait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-chait/) > [I'm a very big believer that the primary focus for any organization at any point in time should always be smarter, better, faster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-baker/i-m-a-very-big-believer-that-the-primary-focus-for-any-organization/) [Charlie Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-baker/) ## More by Iyanla Vanzant > [For some reason,we keep forgetting some of our experience. We look back but don't bring the value forward. We bring the anger, the upset.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/for-some-reason-we-keep-forgetting-some-of-our-experience-we-look/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [All things are lessons that God would have us learn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/all-things-are-lessons-that-god-would-have-us-learn/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [“Life would be so much easier if, when we hit a snag in a relationship, any relationship, we would stop, address it, and move…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/life-would-be-so-much-easier-if-when-we-hit-a-snag-in-a-relationship/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [How do you spell peace? P-R-A-Y-E-R! Anything you believe you need is available to you through prayer. We are not talking here about a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/how-do-you-spell-peace-p-r-a-y-e-r-anything-you-believe-you-need-is/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [We are distracted from our greatness because are greatness is what scares us. Right where you are…God is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/we-are-distracted-from-our-greatness-because-are-greatness-is-what/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [Some children do what they’re told to do; some children do what they’re told not to do; all children do what they’re parents have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/some-children-do-what-they-re-told-to-do-some-children-do-what-they/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [Life doesn't have to be hard, life is on your side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/life-doesn-t-have-to-be-hard-life-is-on-your-side/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [You can accept or reject the way you are treated by other people, but until you heal the wounds of your past, you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/you-can-accept-or-reject-the-way-you-are-treated-by-other-people-but/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [We must each learn to feel comfortable in our own uniqueness by rising above the fear of being wrong and the aversion to being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/we-must-each-learn-to-feel-comfortable-in-our-own-uniqueness-by/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [I am not seeking anything but service to my creator. I do not need a house, I do not need a car, I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/i-am-not-seeking-anything-but-service-to-my-creator-i-do-not-need-a/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [The remedy for life's broken pieces is not classes, workshops or books. Don't try to heal the broken pieces. Just forgive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/the-remedy-for-life-s-broken-pieces-is-not-classes-workshops-or-books/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [When someone entrusts their heart to you they are giving you a piece of their soul. You cannot treat the soul casually. You must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/when-someone-entrusts-their-heart-to-you-they-are-giving-you-a-piece/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [When you have something to do life will not allow you to ove foward until you do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/when-you-have-something-to-do-life-will-not-allow-you-to-ove-foward/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [Have you doubted your progress, regretted your choices, put yourself down? Remember that you are doing just fine. Remind yourself right now that no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/have-you-doubted-your-progress-regretted-your-choices-put-yourself/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [The only relationship we can have in this life is the relationship we have with ourselves. We cannot love anybody more than we love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/the-only-relationship-we-can-have-in-this-life-is-the-relationship-we/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) [Explore all 476 Iyanla Vanzant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) ## More About yourself quotes > [“they all have always loved you Will Herondale, for you cannot hide what is good about yourself, however har you try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/they-all-have-always-loved-you-will-herondale-for-you-cannot-hide/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [If you can't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupaul/if-you-can-t-love-yourself-how-in-the-hell-you-gonna-love-somebody/) [RuPaul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupaul/) > [People are in denial all the time, hiding things. If I tell you a racist or dirty joke and you laugh, you're telling me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-landau/people-are-in-denial-all-the-time-hiding-things-if-i-tell-you-a/) [Martin Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-landau/) > [Change your thoughts, change your life. —LAO TZU When I was fighting depression, I remember hearing this expression and not understanding it at first.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/change-your-thoughts-change-your-life-lao-tzu-when-i-was-fighting/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [Dreams really tell you about yourself more than anything else in this world could ever tell you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-browne/dreams-really-tell-you-about-yourself-more-than-anything-else-in-this/) [Sylvia Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-browne/) > [Celebrate all the things you don't like about yourself. love yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-gaga/celebrate-all-the-things-you-don-t-like-about-yourself-love-yourself/) [Lady Gaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-gaga/) > [Start enjoying the things you like about yourself, and if there are things you want to change, either get to work on it or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benji-madden/start-enjoying-the-things-you-like-about-yourself-and-if-there-are/) [Benji Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benji-madden/) > [Always be yourself. There's only one you. You should embrace anything that you don't like about yourself because that's individual and that's you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesy-nelson/always-be-yourself-there-s-only-one-you-you-should-embrace-anything/) [Jesy Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesy-nelson/) > [It's too distracting to read about yourself. You want to be perfect and you want everyone to love you, and that's never going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saoirse-ronan/it-s-too-distracting-to-read-about-yourself-you-want-to-be-perfect/) [Saoirse Ronan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saoirse-ronan/) > [If you want to know how to make people shun you and laugh at you behind your back and even despise you, here is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/if-you-want-to-know-how-to-make-people-shun-you-and-laugh-at-you/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [The only thing a master can teach is how to learn about yourself. There are no secrets. They are only techniques to waken yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/the-only-thing-a-master-can-teach-is-how-to-learn-about-yourself/) [Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/) > [I don't want to sell myself short. You hurt your spouse, not so much by the infidelity, but by the negative feelings about yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-zaslow/i-don-t-want-to-sell-myself-short-you-hurt-your-spouse-not-so-much-by/) [Michael Zaslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-zaslow/) > [A stranger can see in an instant something in you that you might spend years learning about yourself. How awful we all are when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-elliott/a-stranger-can-see-in-an-instant-something-in-you-that-you-might/) [Stephen Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-elliott/) > [Knowing is the most profound kind of love, giving someone the gift of knowledge about yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsha-norman/knowing-is-the-most-profound-kind-of-love-giving-someone-the-gift-of/) [Marsha Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsha-norman/) > [Start telling the truth now and never stop. Begin by telling the truth to yourself about yourself. Then tell the truth to yourself about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/start-telling-the-truth-now-and-never-stop-begin-by-telling-the-truth/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) [Browse all 770 About yourself quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about-yourself/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Criticism does not make you smarter or better than the one you are criticizing. 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