---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That friend a great man's ruin strongly…"
description: "\"That friend a great man's ruin strongly checks, who rails into his belief all his defects.\" — John Webster"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/463/john-webster-7470_belief_that-friend-a-great-man-s-ruin-strongly_1506168.png"
---

#  That friend a great man's ruin strongly checks, who rails…

![“That friend a great man's ruin strongly checks, who rails into his belief all his defects.” quote by John Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/463/john-webster-7470_belief_that-friend-a-great-man-s-ruin-strongly_1506168.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/463/john-webster-7470_belief_that-friend-a-great-man-s-ruin-strongly_1506168.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/463/john-webster-7470_belief_that-friend-a-great-man-s-ruin-strongly_1506168.png)

> “That friend a great man's ruin strongly checks, who rails into his belief all his defects.”

[John Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-webster/)

## About This Quote

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

A friend's criticism can undermine a great person, especially when they project their own flaws onto others.

**In simple terms:** Friends can ruin great people by focusing on defects.

Key Takeaway

Watch for projection in criticism.

Themes

friendship criticism ego

Mood

reflective critical

Type

dramatic philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal relationships
- leadership
- conflict resolution

Key Concepts

psychology self-awareness

Questions to Reflect On

- Why do we project our flaws onto others?
- How can we give constructive feedback without harming?

A Different Perspective

Criticism may stem from the critic’s insecurities, not the target’s faults.

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[Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Belief Defects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief-defects-5533464/) [Checks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/checks/) [Defects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defects/) [Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great/) [Great man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-man/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Man Ruin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-ruin-1073071/) [Ruin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruin/) [Ruin Strongly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruin-strongly-5533462/) [Strongly Checks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strongly-checks-5533463/)

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