Accounts Quote by Jean de la Bruyere
“Criticism is as often a trade as a science, requiring, as it does, more health than wit, more labour than capacity, more practice than genius.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of Criticism, 1685
Criticism demands more health, labor, and practice than wit or genius, treating it as a trade rather than a pure science.
In simple terms: Criticism needs effort and practice, not just talent.
Key Takeaway
Practice criticism thoughtfully.
Themes
criticism
effort
skill
trade
science
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic review
- creative work
- public discourse
Key Concepts
intellectual humility
skill development
constructive feedback
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance criticism with encouragement?
- When is criticism more harmful than helpful?
A Different Perspective
Excessive criticism can become destructive.
![“I never have wit until I am below stairs. [Fr., Je n'ai jamais d'esprit qu'au bas de l'escalier.]” quote by Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8cd/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_stairs_i-never-have-wit-until-i-am-below-stairs_286948.jpg)
![“The court is like a palace built of marble; I mean that it is made up of very hard but very polished people. [Fr., La cour est comme un edifice bati de marbre; je veux dire qu'elle est composee d'hommes fort durs mais fort polis.]” quote by Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fcf/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_built_the-court-is-like-a-palace-built-of-marb_77288.jpg)
