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.”
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.
Assess texts for logical and aesthetic strengths.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- book reviews
- academic essays
- editorial columns
- creative writing workshops
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria ensure fair criticism?
- How do personal tastes influence evaluation?
Subjectivity can bias judgments.