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Aristotle Quote by John Dryden

“Criticism, as it was first instituted by Aristotle, was meant as a standard of judging well; the chiefest part of which is to observe those excellencies which delight a reasonable reader.” quote by John Dryden
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“Criticism, as it was first instituted by Aristotle, was meant as a standard of judging well; the chiefest part of which is to observe those excellencies which delight a reasonable reader.”

John Dryden

About This Quote

Source Essay: Literary Criticism, 1695

Criticism should evaluate works by their merits, focusing on qualities that please rational readers.

In simple terms: Judge works by their good qualities.

Key Takeaway

Assess texts for logical and aesthetic strengths.

Themes

criticism judgment reason

Mood

analytical thoughtful

Type

scholarly philosophical

When to use this quote

  • book reviews
  • academic essays
  • editorial columns
  • creative writing workshops

Key Concepts

literary standards excellence reader response

Questions to Reflect On

  • What criteria ensure fair criticism?
  • How do personal tastes influence evaluation?
A Different Perspective

Subjectivity can bias judgments.

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