Critics Quote by John Dryden
“Those who write ill, and they who ne'er durst write, Turn critics out of mere revenge and spite.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Tragedy of Thomas Hobbes, 1690
Poor writing invites vindictive criticism rather than constructive feedback.
In simple terms: Bad writing draws revengeful critics.
Key Takeaway
Write clearly to avoid spiteful critiques.
Themes
writing
criticism
communication
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
literary
advice
When to use this quote
- publishing
- academic essays
- online reviews
- creative writing
Key Concepts
literary criticism
authorial responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can writers anticipate and deflect vindictive criticism?
- What role does intent play in how criticism is received?
A Different Perspective
Even good writing can be misinterpreted; critics may have ulterior motives.
![“[I]t is the writer's duty to write fiction which promotes virtue, the good, the beautiful, and above all, the true. ... It is the writer's duty to hate injustice, to defy the powerful, and to speak for the voiceless. To be ... the severest critics of our own societies.” quote by Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3ae/edward-abbey-254_character_i-t-is-the-writer-s-duty-to-write-fictio_2428868.jpg)
![“Nearly all the writing of our time is likely to disappear in a hundred years. Certainly most readers - and nearly all critics - feel that [Kurt] Vonnegut started to repeat himself, to grow increasingly self-indulgent and meandering, and to sometimes just blather in his later work. But his books up…” quote by Michael Dirda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ed7/michael-dirda-3414_1960s_nearly-all-the-writing-of-our-time-is-li_13506.jpg)