--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The curious hocus-pocus of criticism I…" description: "\"The curious hocus-pocus of criticism I can't take seriously. It consists in squirreling up some odd phrases and then waiting for a book to come running..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/john-steinbeck-71_book_the-curious-hocus-pocus-of-criticism-i-c_1344353.jpg" --- # The curious hocus-pocus of criticism I can't take… ![“The curious hocus-pocus of criticism I can't take seriously. It consists in squirreling up some odd phrases and then waiting for a book to come running by.” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/john-steinbeck-71_book_the-curious-hocus-pocus-of-criticism-i-c_1344353.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/john-steinbeck-71_book_the-curious-hocus-pocus-of-criticism-i-c_1344353.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7f/john-steinbeck-71_book_the-curious-hocus-pocus-of-criticism-i-c_1344353.jpg) > “The curious hocus-pocus of criticism I can't take seriously. It consists in squirreling up some odd phrases and then waiting for a book to come running by.” [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He dismisses criticism that relies on obscure phrasing and waits for validation from others. **In simple terms:** Criticism that hides behind odd words is worthless. Key Takeaway Seek clear, substantive critique. Themes literary criticism authenticity language validation Mood skeptical analytical Type critical philosophical When to use this quote - book reviews - academic discourse - writing workshops Key Concepts critical theory communication intellectual honesty Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate meaningful critique from pretentiousness? - What role does clarity play in criticism? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on style can obscure meaning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism/) [Criticism Seriously](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism-seriously-832029/) [Curious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curious/) [Hocus pocus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hocus-pocus/) [I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) [Odd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/odd/) [Odd Phrases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/odd-phrases-4551965/) [Phrases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phrases/) [Phrases Waiting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phrases-waiting-4551966/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Waiting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waiting/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [It's important to take criticism seriously - not personally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/it-s-important-to-take-criticism-seriously-not-personally/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [If a woman wants to succeed in the public arena, she needs to grow skin as thick as the hide of a rhinoceros. 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