---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Your disapproval is noted. It is…"
description: "\"“Your disapproval is noted. It is legitimate. You are welcome to disapprove. But you are not welcome to be ignorant, to look the other way, to be unabl..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb3/john-irving-337_disapproval_your-disapproval-is-noted-it-is-legitima_2532571.png"
---

#  Your disapproval is noted. It is legitimate. You are…

![“Your disapproval is noted. It is legitimate. You are welcome to disapprove. But you are not welcome to be ignorant, to look the other way, to be unable to perform—should you change your mind.” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb3/john-irving-337_disapproval_your-disapproval-is-noted-it-is-legitima_2532571.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb3/john-irving-337_disapproval_your-disapproval-is-noted-it-is-legitima_2532571.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb3/john-irving-337_disapproval_your-disapproval-is-noted-it-is-legitima_2532571.png)

> ““Your disapproval is noted. It is legitimate. You are welcome to disapprove. But you are not welcome to be ignorant, to look the other way, to be unable to perform—should you change your mind.””

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Acknowledging criticism is valid, but ignorance and inaction are unacceptable; one must be willing to change when presented with new information.

**In simple terms:** Criticism is okay, but you must act and learn.

Key Takeaway

Stay informed and be ready to adapt.

Themes

responsibility learning action

Mood

thoughtful determined

Type

ethical motivational

When to use this quote

- political debate
- personal growth
- social activism
- education
- decision making

Key Concepts

ethics cognitive bias

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance respect for dissent with the need for informed action?
- What steps can you take to avoid willful ignorance?

A Different Perspective

Ignoring facts can lead to harmful stagnation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Change Your Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-your-mind/) [Disapproval](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disapproval/) [Disapproval Noted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disapproval-noted-1356623/) [Disapprove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disapprove/) [Disapprove Welcome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disapprove-welcome-1356624/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Welcome Disapprove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/welcome-disapprove-1356625/)

## Related quotes

> [“If you can't set a better example for progress, don't show disapproval against the worse tradition!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/if-you-can-t-set-a-better-example-for-progress-don-t-show-disapproval/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [“Whenever they are condemning weaves or breast implants, some people speak so passionately that their false teeth almost fall out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/whenever-they-are-condemning-weaves-or-breast-implants-some-people/)

[Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/)

> [I disapprove of what you say, but I defend to the death your right to say it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/i-disapprove-of-what-you-say-but-i-defend-to-the-death-your-right-to/)

[Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/)

> [I don't really do things to make other people approve or disapprove of my decisions. I'm too grown for that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larsa-pippen/i-don-t-really-do-things-to-make-other-people-approve-or-disapprove/)

[Larsa Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larsa-pippen/)

> [“The tragedy is that what you disapprove of in others is the very thing you disapprove of in yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-richards/the-tragedy-is-that-what-you-disapprove-of-in-others-is-the-very/)

[Stephen Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-richards/)

> [People will disapprove of you if you're unhappy, or if you're happy in The Wrong Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mignon-mclaughlin/people-will-disapprove-of-you-if-you-re-unhappy-or-if-you-re-happy-in/)

[Mignon McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mignon-mclaughlin/)

> [Seeking approval of others is away to avoid how deeply we disapprove of ourselves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/seeking-approval-of-others-is-away-to-avoid-how-deeply-we-disapprove/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/i-thoroughly-disapprove-of-duels-if-a-man-should-challenge-me-i-would/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [Nothing should lessen our satisfaction with ourselves as much as when we notice that we disapprove of something at one time that we approve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/nothing-should-lessen-our-satisfaction-with-ourselves-as-much-as-when/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [“I would disapprove of another hospitable man who was excessive in friendship, as of one excessive in hate. In all things balance is better.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/i-would-disapprove-of-another-hospitable-man-who-was-excessive-in/)

[Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/)

> [On the whole, I rather disapprove of cookbooks, except for the literary ones, like Elizabeth David's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-scruton/on-the-whole-i-rather-disapprove-of-cookbooks-except-for-the-literary/)

[Roger Scruton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-scruton/)

> [“Never disapprove the good things you get and never scornfully look on the bad things you get. You don't know who has it worse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-scovell/never-disapprove-the-good-things-you-get-and-never-scornfully-look-on/)

[Andrew Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-scovell/)

> [I’ll promise to think twice before I take any important step you seriously disapprove of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bronte/i-ll-promise-to-think-twice-before-i-take-any-important-step-you/)

[Anne Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bronte/)

> [When people with power see things happen of which they disapprove, they drop bombs and send in tanks. When people without power see things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-people-with-power-see-things-happen-of-which-they-disapprove/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Nothing is so capable of diminishing self-love as the observation that we disapprove at one time what we approve at another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/nothing-is-so-capable-of-diminishing-self-love-as-the-observation/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

## More by John Irving

> [Your memory is a monster; you forget - it doesn't. It simply files things away. It keeps things for you, or hides things from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/your-memory-is-a-monster-you-forget-it-doesn-t-it-simply-files-things/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [Our memory is a monster; you forget it - it does not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/our-memory-is-a-monster-you-forget-it-it-does-not/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/and-so-he-tried-to-accept-the-ache-in-his-heart-as-what-dr-larch/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [Watch out for people who call themselves religious; make sure you know what they mean––make sure they know what they mean!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/watch-out-for-people-who-call-themselves-religious-make-sure-you-know/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [The desire to never leave your side, the desire to never see you again. The desire to see your face asleep on the pillow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/the-desire-to-never-leave-your-side-the-desire-to-never-see-you-again/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [I had been a student in Vienna, and one of the neat little things I had found out was about that zoo. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/i-had-been-a-student-in-vienna-and-one-of-the-neat-little-things-i/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [“God, I think I just hit a high E-flat - and I really held it!" Esmeralda said, after one of her more prolonged orgasms,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/god-i-think-i-just-hit-a-high-e-flat-and-i-really-held-it-esmeralda/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [“Nostalgia!" Miss Frost cried. "You´re nostalgic!" She repeated. "Just how old are you, William?" She asked. "Seventeen, " I told her. "Seventeen!" Miss Frost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/nostalgia-miss-frost-cried-you-re-nostalgic-she-repeated-just-how-old/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [ “JUST BECAUSE A BUNCH OF ATHEISTS ARE BETTER WRITERS THAN THE GUYS WHO WROTE THE BIBLE DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE THEM RIGHT!" \[Owen Meany\] said… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/just-because-a-bunch-of-atheists-are-better-writers-than-the-guys-who/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [It is much easier to be flexible about where a story begins than it ever was for me to change my mind about where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/it-is-much-easier-to-be-flexible-about-where-a-story-begins-than-it/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [“Only the chicken-lover will understand me. He will give me a kindly look, maybe mildly desirous. His eyes will tell me: You might look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/only-the-chicken-lover-will-understand-me-he-will-give-me-a-kindly/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [You're nice,' Cushie told him, squeezing his hand. 'And you're my oldest friend.' But they both must have known that you can know someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/you-re-nice-cushie-told-him-squeezing-his-hand-and-you-re-my-oldest/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [“Because of A Prayer for Owen Meany, many of my readers assume I am “religious.” I go to church only occasionally—like a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/because-of-a-prayer-for-owen-meany-many-of-my-readers-assume-i-am/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [“Did anyone who was in love and was unsatisfied with how he was loved in return ever feel saved?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/did-anyone-who-was-in-love-and-was-unsatisfied-with-how-he-was-loved/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [“I TRUST THAT GOD WILL HELP ME, BECAUSE WHAT I’M SUPPOSED TO DO LOOKS VERY HARD.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/i-trust-that-god-will-help-me-because-what-i-m-supposed-to-do-looks/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

[Explore all 641 John Irving quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

## More Disapproval quotes

> [Disapproval is a very important factor in all progress. There has really never been any progress without it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-henry-breasted/disapproval-is-a-very-important-factor-in-all-progress-there-has/)

[James Henry Breasted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-henry-breasted/)

> [Approval is a greater motivator than disapproval, but we have to disapprove on occasion when we correct. It’s necessary. I make corrections only after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/approval-is-a-greater-motivator-than-disapproval-but-we-have-to/)

[John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/)

> [Anger is the ultimate troublemaker. I feel you can express a strong disapproval or dislike of an object without losing your temper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/anger-is-the-ultimate-troublemaker-i-feel-you-can-express-a-strong/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [Collective judgment of new ideas is so often wrong that it is arguable that progress depends on individuals being free to back their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-arthur-lewis/collective-judgment-of-new-ideas-is-so-often-wrong-that-it-is/)

[W. Arthur Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-arthur-lewis/)

> [The heart wants what the heart wants," she says, somewhat cryptically. I purse my lips in disapproval. "You'd think the heart would know better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/the-heart-wants-what-the-heart-wants-she-says-somewhat-cryptically-i/)

[Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/)

> [Don't look left nor right and never compete. Never. Watching the other guy is what kills all forms of energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-vreeland/don-t-look-left-nor-right-and-never-compete-never-watching-the-other/)

[Diana Vreeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-vreeland/)

> [“Approval is overrated. Approval and disapproval alike satisfy those who deliver it more than those who receive it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/approval-is-overrated-approval-and-disapproval-alike-satisfy-those/)

[Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/)

> [“Looks like Faye's doing a little extracurricular activity," a voice behind her murmured, and Cassie turned gratefully. Nick nodded at the guy who was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-j-smith/looks-like-faye-s-doing-a-little-extracurricular-activity-a-voice/)

[L.J. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-j-smith/)

> [No man likes to live under the eye of perpetual disapprobation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/no-man-likes-to-live-under-the-eye-of-perpetual-disapprobation/)

[Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/)

> [The sooner we all learn to make a decision between disapproval and censorship, the better off society will be... Censorship cannot get at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/granville-hicks/the-sooner-we-all-learn-to-make-a-decision-between-disapproval-and/)

[Granville Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/granville-hicks/)

> [“Though I no longer liked him or respected him, the thought of his disapproval frightened me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kirn/though-i-no-longer-liked-him-or-respected-him-the-thought-of-his/)

[Walter Kirn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kirn/)

> [ The very term \['mental disease'\] is nonsensical, a semantic mistake. The two words cannot go together except metaphorically; you can no more have a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-fuller-torrey/the-very-term-mental-disease-is-nonsensical-a-semantic-mistake-the/)

[E. Fuller Torrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-fuller-torrey/)

> [“If you can't set a better example for progress, don't show disapproval against the worse tradition!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/if-you-can-t-set-a-better-example-for-progress-don-t-show-disapproval/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [Hang your merit. I don't seek anyone's approbation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/hang-your-merit-i-don-t-seek-anyone-s-approbation/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Those who feel guilty contemplating "betraying" the tradition they love by acknowledging their disapproval of elements within it should reflect on the fact that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/those-who-feel-guilty-contemplating-betraying-the-tradition-they-love/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

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