--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Censure acquits the raven, but pursues…" description: "\"Censure acquits the raven, but pursues the dove.\" — Juvenal" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8af/juvenal-918_bird_censure-acquits-the-raven-but-pursues-th_362620.png" --- # Censure acquits the raven, but pursues the dove. ![“Censure acquits the raven, but pursues the dove.” quote by Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8af/juvenal-918_bird_censure-acquits-the-raven-but-pursues-th_362620.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8af/juvenal-918_bird_censure-acquits-the-raven-but-pursues-th_362620.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8af/juvenal-918_bird_censure-acquits-the-raven-but-pursues-th_362620.png) > “Censure acquits the raven, but pursues the dove.” [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Criticism can silence the innocent while targeting the harmless. **In simple terms:** Criticism often harms the innocent. Key Takeaway Beware of misdirected blame. Themes justice communication ethics Mood reflective critical Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - political debate - media reporting - personal relationships Key Concepts Satire moral critique Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate constructive criticism from harmful? - When is silence a form of complicity? A Different Perspective Criticism may be necessary for truth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird/) [Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dove/) [Raven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/raven/) ## Related quotes > [Dat veniam corvis, vexat censura columbas. - Censure acquits the raven, but pursues the dove.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/dat-veniam-corvis-vexat-censura-columbas-censure-acquits-the-raven/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [ Censure pardons the ravens but rebukes the doves. \[The innocent are punished and the wicked escape.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/censure-pardons-the-ravens-but-rebukes-the-doves-the-innocent-are/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [The raven once in snowy plumes was drest, White as the whitest dove's unsullied breast, Fair as the guardian of the Capitol, Soft as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/the-raven-once-in-snowy-plumes-was-drest-white-as-the-whitest-dove-s/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [“Today I seen a dove collide into the sunset, on the way to heaven and a ruined raven chewing on death, over the pavement.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-liccione/today-i-seen-a-dove-collide-into-the-sunset-on-the-way-to-heaven-and/) [Anthony Liccione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-liccione/) > [Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-allan-poe/quoth-the-raven-nevermore/) [Edgar Allan Poe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-allan-poe/) > [“Is that a crow I hear, calling the raven black?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/is-that-a-crow-i-hear-calling-the-raven-black/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“The master wants to salvage you. He's going to sign you to the Raven lineup in spring. So long as you keep quiet and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-sakavic/the-master-wants-to-salvage-you-he-s-going-to-sign-you-to-the-raven/) [Nora Sakavic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-sakavic/) > [“When she first saw him, she took him for a ghost. His jet-black hair fluttered in the breeze as he walked, letting her see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-m-lyons/when-she-first-saw-him-she-took-him-for-a-ghost-his-jet-black-hair/) [Amanda M. Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-m-lyons/) > [“And the crow once called the raven black.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/and-the-crow-once-called-the-raven-black/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“Raven mumbled something. “Eh? What was that? Speak up! Don’t mumble like a caterpillar.” “I said, I don’t want to scare them.” Baba Yaga…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/raven-mumbled-something-eh-what-was-that-speak-up-don-t-mumble-like-a/) [Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/) > [I watched the Disney Channel all the time growing up. 'Lizzie McGuire' was my all-time favorite. I'm pretty sure I had every piece of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-holt/i-watched-the-disney-channel-all-the-time-growing-up-lizzie-mcguire/) [Olivia Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-holt/) > [“...These stars will be gone one day for you. They will be for me, too. The Raven promises me I will turn back to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-monninger/these-stars-will-be-gone-one-day-for-you-they-will-be-for-me-too-the/) [Joseph Monninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-monninger/) > [And the Raven, never flitting, Still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas Just above my chamber door; And his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-allan-poe/and-the-raven-never-flitting-still-is-sitting-still-is-sitting-on-the/) [Edgar Allan Poe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-allan-poe/) > [“I am a black bird, a Raven, I am Raven. I know and I am knowing—I know and see life and death, expansion and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-raven-rose/i-am-a-black-bird-a-raven-i-am-raven-i-know-and-i-am-knowing-i-know/) [H Raven Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-raven-rose/) > [The problem with Raven is that she's so smart, so sometimes it's hard for her to be hopeful or idealistic, because she's so realistic.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-morgan/the-problem-with-raven-is-that-she-s-so-smart-so-sometimes-it-s-hard/) [Lindsey Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-morgan/) ## More by Juvenal > [Where have you ever found that man who stopped short after the perpetration of a single crime?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/where-have-you-ever-found-that-man-who-stopped-short-after-the/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Everything in Rome has its price.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/everything-in-rome-has-its-price/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Astrology reveals the will of the gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/astrology-reveals-the-will-of-the-gods/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [ Indignation leads to the making of poetry. \[Lat., Facit indignatio versum.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/indignation-leads-to-the-making-of-poetry-lat-facit-indignatio-versum/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [The short bloom of our brief and narrow life flies fast away. While we are calling for flowers and wine and women, old age…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/the-short-bloom-of-our-brief-and-narrow-life-flies-fast-away-while-we/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Some men make money not for the sake of living, but ache In the blindness of greed and live just for their fortune's sake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/some-men-make-money-not-for-the-sake-of-living-but-ache-in-the/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? - Who will watch the watchers?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/quis-custodiet-ipsos-custodes-who-will-watch-the-watchers/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [All things may be bought in Rome with money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/all-things-may-be-bought-in-rome-with-money/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Who is to guard the guards themselves?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/who-is-to-guard-the-guards-themselves/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Dedicate one's life to truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/dedicate-one-s-life-to-truth/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [A sound mind in a sound body is a thing to be prayed for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/a-sound-mind-in-a-sound-body-is-a-thing-to-be-prayed-for/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [Only death reveals what a nothing the body of man is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/only-death-reveals-what-a-nothing-the-body-of-man-is/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [“show me the apartment 235 that lets you sleep! In this city sleep costs millions, and that’s the root of the trouble.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/show-me-the-apartment-235-that-lets-you-sleep-in-this-city-sleep/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [ When a man's life is at stake no delay is too long. \[Lat., Nulla unquam de morte cunctatio longa est.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/when-a-man-s-life-is-at-stake-no-delay-is-too-long-lat-nulla-unquam/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [What man have you ever seen who was contented with one crime only?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/what-man-have-you-ever-seen-who-was-contented-with-one-crime-only/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) [Explore all 328 Juvenal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) ## More Bird quotes > [And I have been very blessed, having coached some of the greatest that have ever played the game. 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He stares…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-schuyler/he-unfixes-the-metal-notch-and-slips-his-hand-around-the-body-of-the/) Nina Schuyler > [I would rather learn from one bird how to sing than to teach 10,000 stars how not to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-e-cummings/i-would-rather-learn-from-one-bird-how-to-sing-than-to-teach-10-000/) [e. e. cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-e-cummings/) > [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/) [Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/) > [Surely, God could have caused birds to fly with their bones made of solid gold, with their veins full of quicksilver, with their flesh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/surely-god-could-have-caused-birds-to-fly-with-their-bones-made-of/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [And wheresoever, in his rich creation, Sweet music breathes--in wave, or bird, or soul-- 'Tis but the faint and far reverberation Of that great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/and-wheresoever-in-his-rich-creation-sweet-music-breathes-in-wave-or/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [A clock struck out the hour of twelve, and the bird in the hedgerow was still singing as we marched out to the roadway,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-macgill/a-clock-struck-out-the-hour-of-twelve-and-the-bird-in-the-hedgerow/) [Patrick MacGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-macgill/) > [Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/every-wife-ought-to-answer-for-her-man-if-the-husband-be-engaged-in-a/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Meanwhile, the trees were just as green as before; the birds sang and the sun shone as clearly now as ever. The familiar surroundings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hardy/meanwhile-the-trees-were-just-as-green-as-before-the-birds-sang-and/) [Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hardy/) > [When they started to drain a swamp where birds and fish had lived, for a new housing development down the road from his apartment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maile-meloy/when-they-started-to-drain-a-swamp-where-birds-and-fish-had-lived-for/) [Maile Meloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maile-meloy/) > [The bird with the thorn in its breast, it follows an immutable law; it is driven by it knows not what to impale itself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-mccullough/the-bird-with-the-thorn-in-its-breast-it-follows-an-immutable-law-it/) [Colleen McCullough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-mccullough/) > [Real like sucks the life out of losers. if you want to fuck with the eagles, you must learn how to fly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/real-like-sucks-the-life-out-of-losers-if-you-want-to-fuck-with-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If we studied birds ,maybe we could learn to be free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-alire-s-enz/if-we-studied-birds-maybe-we-could-learn-to-be-free/) [Benjamin Alire Sáenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-alire-s-enz/) [Browse all 4,802 Bird quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Censure acquits the raven, but pursues the dove.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Juvenal" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/censure-acquits-the-raven-but-pursues-the-dove/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bird" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/censure-acquits-the-raven-but-pursues-the-dove/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8af/juvenal-918_bird_censure-acquits-the-raven-but-pursues-th_362620.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8af/juvenal-918_bird_censure-acquits-the-raven-but-pursues-th_362620.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8af/juvenal-918_bird_censure-acquits-the-raven-but-pursues-th_362620.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Censure acquits the raven, but pursues the dove.” — Juvenal", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Juvenal", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Censure acquits the raven, but pursues...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/censure-acquits-the-raven-but-pursues-the-dove/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/censure-acquits-the-raven-but-pursues-the-dove/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```