--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Criticism will need an injection of…" description: "\"Criticism will need an injection of humility that is, a recognition of its role as ancillary to the arts, needed only occasionally in a temporary capac..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59b/jacques-barzun-3251_art_criticism-will-need-an-injection-of-humi_1929426.jpg" --- # Criticism will need an injection of humility that is, a… ![“Criticism will need an injection of humility that is, a recognition of its role as ancillary to the arts, needed only occasionally in a temporary capacity. Since the critic exists only for introducing and explaining, he must be readily intelligible; he has no special vocabulary: criticism is in no…” quote by Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59b/jacques-barzun-3251_art_criticism-will-need-an-injection-of-humi_1929426.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59b/jacques-barzun-3251_art_criticism-will-need-an-injection-of-humi_1929426.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59b/jacques-barzun-3251_art_criticism-will-need-an-injection-of-humi_1929426.jpg) > “Criticism will need an injection of humility that is, a recognition of its role as ancillary to the arts, needed only occasionally in a temporary capacity. Since the critic exists only for introducing and explaining, he must be readily intelligible; he has no special vocabulary: criticism is in no way a science or a system.” [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Criticism should be modest, serving the arts without claiming scientific authority, and remain accessible. **In simple terms:** Criticism is a modest, supportive tool for art. Key Takeaway Use criticism to clarify, not dominate, artistic work. Themes art criticism humility communication Mood reflective analytical thoughtful Type educational instructive When to use this quote - art reviews - academic lectures - creative workshops - public discussions Key Concepts aesthetics role of criticism accessibility Questions to Reflect On - How can critics balance depth with clarity? - When does criticism hinder rather than help? A Different Perspective Criticism can become overly academic, alienating broader audiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Capacity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capacity/) [Critic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critic/) [Critic Exists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critic-exists-3010674/) [Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism/) [Criticism Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism-need-1949494/) [Criticism Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism-way-897957/) [Critics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critics/) [Explaining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explaining/) [Humility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humility/) [Injection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/injection/) [Introducing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/introducing/) [Needed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needed/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Recognition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recognition/) [Roles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roles/) [Special](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/special/) [Temporary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temporary/) [Vocabulary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vocabulary/) [Vocabulary Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vocabulary-criticism-3010673/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [I believe in myself, and that's why I take criticism. You need to be very strong to survive in Bollywood. If someone calls me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esha-gupta/i-believe-in-myself-and-that-s-why-i-take-criticism-you-need-to-be/) [Esha Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esha-gupta/) > [People who avoid all criticism fail. It's destructive criticism we need to avoid, not criticism in all forms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-ferriss/people-who-avoid-all-criticism-fail-it-s-destructive-criticism-we/) [Tim Ferriss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-ferriss/) > [“Those in power don't need more power. They need criticism. They need a mirror.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/historian-zeev-sternhell/those-in-power-don-t-need-more-power-they-need-criticism-they-need-a/) [historian Zeev Sternhell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/historian-zeev-sternhell/) > [It feels like the more I'm out there in the public eye, the more criticism I get. You need to have confidence - that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwen-stefani/it-feels-like-the-more-i-m-out-there-in-the-public-eye-the-more/) [Gwen Stefani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwen-stefani/) > [There is rampant among us a spirit of criticism. Men and women who carry heavy responsibility do not need criticism, they need encouragement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/there-is-rampant-among-us-a-spirit-of-criticism-men-and-women-who/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Doing, saying, or being anything puts you at risk for criticism; the only way to avoid criticism would be to do absolutely nothing interesting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/doing-saying-or-being-anything-puts-you-at-risk-for-criticism-the/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [Nobody says, 'Yeah, I'd like to set myself up for some serious criticism!' And yet, the only way to be remarkable is to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/nobody-says-yeah-i-d-like-to-set-myself-up-for-some-serious-criticism/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [When I first started out, I got criticism for the way I looked. I think, now, it's a good thing because, why would you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-first-started-out-i-got-criticism-for-the-way-i-looked-i-think/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I like criticism, but it must be my way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/i-like-criticism-but-it-must-be-my-way/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“Criticism is another way of appreciation. So when people criticise you don't get upset, just boost yourself and do better.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-dutta/criticism-is-another-way-of-appreciation-so-when-people-criticise-you/) [G.K. Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-dutta/) > [I'm a big boy. I've had criticism the full way through my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-white/i-m-a-big-boy-i-ve-had-criticism-the-full-way-through-my-career/) [Ben White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-white/) > [“The great philosopher, Aristotle had this to say in regards to criticism. “There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-a-hilden/the-great-philosopher-aristotle-had-this-to-say-in-regards-to/) [L.A. Hilden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-a-hilden/) > [“Self-criticism is a way of life in North Korea. Everybody has to do it, even the highest party members. Our sessions were once a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-robert-jenkins/self-criticism-is-a-way-of-life-in-north-korea-everybody-has-to-do-it/) [Charles Robert Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-robert-jenkins/) > [ They \[leaders in Western Europe\] do not misuse financial instruments, financial injections, but, first of all, seek structural change. This is urgent for our… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/they-leaders-in-western-europe-do-not-misuse-financial-instruments/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [I don't believe in playing hurt, in taking injections to cover the pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-seles/i-don-t-believe-in-playing-hurt-in-taking-injections-to-cover-the-pain/) [Monica Seles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-seles/) ## More by Jacques Barzun > [The danger that may really threaten (crime fiction) is that soon there will be more writers than readers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/the-danger-that-may-really-threaten-crime-fiction-is-that-soon-there/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [It seems a long time since the morning mail could be called correspondence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/it-seems-a-long-time-since-the-morning-mail-could-be-called/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is a lost tradition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/teaching-is-not-a-lost-art-but-the-regard-for-it-is-a-lost-tradition/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [The reason why research is like sculpting from memory is that in neither is there a concrete visible subject to copy directly. The subject…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/the-reason-why-research-is-like-sculpting-from-memory-is-that-in/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [Everybody keeps calling for Excellence - excellence not just in schooling, throughout society. But as soon as somebody or something stands out as Excellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/everybody-keeps-calling-for-excellence-excellence-not-just-in/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [Bernard Shaw remains the only model we have of what the citizen of a democracy should be: an informed participant in all things we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/bernard-shaw-remains-the-only-model-we-have-of-what-the-citizen-of-a/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [The ascetic is often a sensualist who has reached the limit of his capacity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/the-ascetic-is-often-a-sensualist-who-has-reached-the-limit-of-his/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [Idealism springs from deep feelings, but feelings are nothing without the formulated idea that keeps them whole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/idealism-springs-from-deep-feelings-but-feelings-are-nothing-without/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day's work. It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/in-teaching-you-cannot-see-the-fruit-of-a-day-s-work-it-is-invisible/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [The mind tends to run along the groove of one's intention and overlook the actual expression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/the-mind-tends-to-run-along-the-groove-of-one-s-intention-and/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [Vanity is a static thing. It puts it faith in what it has, and is easily wounded. Pride is active, and satisfied only with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/vanity-is-a-static-thing-it-puts-it-faith-in-what-it-has-and-is/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [By the time I was 9, I had the conviction that everybody in the world was an artist except plumbers or people who delivered groceries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/by-the-time-i-was-9-i-had-the-conviction-that-everybody-in-the-world/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [A student under my care owes his first allegiance to himself and not to my specialty; and must not be burdened with my work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/a-student-under-my-care-owes-his-first-allegiance-to-himself-and-not/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [We are accustomed to the artist scoundrel or specialist in vice, and unaccustomed to the creator in whom passion and reason and moral integrity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/we-are-accustomed-to-the-artist-scoundrel-or-specialist-in-vice-and/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [The professionals resemble and recognize each other by virtue of the stigmata that their trade has left upon them. They are like the dog…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/the-professionals-resemble-and-recognize-each-other-by-virtue-of-the/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) [Explore all 135 Jacques Barzun quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Criticism will need an injection of humility that is, a recognition of its role as ancillary to the arts, needed only occasionally in a temporary capacity. 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