--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I were less than honest as a critic, I…" description: "\"If I were less than honest as a critic, I think people would spot that right away, and it would destroy my credibility.\" — Leonard Maltin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/leonard-maltin-17516_credibility_if-i-were-less-than-honest-as-a-critic-i_1173305.png" --- # If I were less than honest as a critic, I think people… ![“If I were less than honest as a critic, I think people would spot that right away, and it would destroy my credibility.” quote by Leonard Maltin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/leonard-maltin-17516_credibility_if-i-were-less-than-honest-as-a-critic-i_1173305.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/leonard-maltin-17516_credibility_if-i-were-less-than-honest-as-a-critic-i_1173305.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/leonard-maltin-17516_credibility_if-i-were-less-than-honest-as-a-critic-i_1173305.png) > “If I were less than honest as a critic, I think people would spot that right away, and it would destroy my credibility.” [Leonard Maltin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Honesty is essential for credibility; any deception quickly erodes trust. **In simple terms:** Honesty builds credibility. Key Takeaway Be transparent, keep integrity. Themes honesty credibility criticism Mood thoughtful serious Type advice reflective When to use this quote - journalism - product reviews - public speaking Key Concepts ethics reputation management Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain honesty under pressure? - What are the costs of a damaged reputation? A Different Perspective People may doubt even minor falsehoods. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Credibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/credibility/) [Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [If you destroy the credibility of those people or institutions that could undermine your own, you create an opportunity for your voice, however irresponsible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yarmuth/if-you-destroy-the-credibility-of-those-people-or-institutions-that/) [John Yarmuth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yarmuth/) > [You have to appreciate the finer points of your work; criticise, too, if needed. I am also my own worst and most honest critic.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamal-haasan/you-have-to-appreciate-the-finer-points-of-your-work-criticise-too-if/) [Kamal Haasan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamal-haasan/) > [When someone writes a book review, they obviously already self-identify as a writer. I mean, they are. They're writers, they're critics, and they're writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/when-someone-writes-a-book-review-they-obviously-already-self/) [Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/) > [Like many people, I think I'm my own worst critic. And I think I take a lot out in an internally abusive way, looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-moore/like-many-people-i-think-i-m-my-own-worst-critic-and-i-think-i-take-a/) [Demi Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-moore/) > [I used to want to be a critic. I think it's an awesome job. You get to watch all this stuff and then write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-esmail/i-used-to-want-to-be-a-critic-i-think-it-s-an-awesome-job-you-get-to/) [Sam Esmail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-esmail/) > [I listen to a lot of criticism. From the Left and the Right and from everywhere. I mean, everybody's a media critic. And sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-tapper/i-listen-to-a-lot-of-criticism-from-the-left-and-the-right-and-from/) [Jake Tapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-tapper/) > [Constantly there's a credibility issue; you're judged on how you look. If you look good, people assume you aren't credible. It's a battle you'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-guerrero/constantly-there-s-a-credibility-issue-you-re-judged-on-how-you-look/) [Lisa Guerrero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-guerrero/) > [You may be right that people say: You know what, we had Obama. He was inexperienced. The guy had great rhetoric, sounded good, looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-rove/you-may-be-right-that-people-say-you-know-what-we-had-obama-he-was/) [Karl Rove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-rove/) > [ I can assure the conspiracy theorists who have very effectively savaged \[Gerald\] Posner in their books that they're going to have a much, much… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-bugliosi/i-can-assure-the-conspiracy-theorists-who-have-very-effectively/) [Vincent Bugliosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-bugliosi/) > [“Intellectually and compassionately explaining the reason freedom works is required for credibility.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/intellectually-and-compassionately-explaining-the-reason-freedom/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [When the script for 'The Wrestler' kept coming to me I said, This movie is so good if you put me in the film…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hulk-hogan/when-the-script-for-the-wrestler-kept-coming-to-me-i-said-this-movie/) [Hulk Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hulk-hogan/) > [The short of it is, as an aspiring writer, there is nothing as damaging to your credibility as saying that you don't like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaled-hosseini/the-short-of-it-is-as-an-aspiring-writer-there-is-nothing-as-damaging/) [Khaled Hosseini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khaled-hosseini/) > [PM Narendra Modi had promised to bring back black money, which he said could put Rs 15 lakh in each of our pockets. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/pm-narendra-modi-had-promised-to-bring-back-black-money-which-he-said/) [Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/) > [The documentary style is an incredibly flexible and useful one. It's a wonderful tool for establishing the credibility of the version of things that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gohlke/the-documentary-style-is-an-incredibly-flexible-and-useful-one-it-s-a/) [Frank Gohlke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gohlke/) > [The word of the Lord is this: "Just bless those that persecute you and ask for Justice, for the battle does not belong to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-loren/the-word-of-the-lord-is-this-just-bless-those-that-persecute-you-and/) Julia Loren ## More by Leonard Maltin > [Audiences deserve better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/audiences-deserve-better/) [Leonard Maltin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/) > [I'm a lifelong Disney nut.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/i-m-a-lifelong-disney-nut/) [Leonard Maltin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/) > [Movie theaters still exist in spite of all of the alternatives that are available, video and video-on-demand and DVD and streaming video and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/movie-theaters-still-exist-in-spite-of-all-of-the-alternatives-that/) [Leonard Maltin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/) > [Beauty and the Beast became the first animated feature ever nominated for best picture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/beauty-and-the-beast-became-the-first-animated-feature-ever-nominated/) [Leonard Maltin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/) > [A Christmas Carol is such a fool-proof story you can't louse it up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/a-christmas-carol-is-such-a-fool-proof-story-you-can-t-louse-it-up/) [Leonard Maltin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/) > [Television is what made It's a Wonderful Life the classic it is today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/television-is-what-made-it-s-a-wonderful-life-the-classic-it-is-today/) [Leonard Maltin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/) > [Two remarkable men -- one young, one old -- fuel each other's spirits in the beautiful documentary Keep On Keepin' On.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/two-remarkable-men-one-young-one-old-fuel-each-other-s-spirits-in-the/) [Leonard Maltin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/) > [I think people in Hollywood are afraid of sentiment because they think audiences will reject it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/i-think-people-in-hollywood-are-afraid-of-sentiment-because-they/) [Leonard Maltin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/) > [I teach at USC. I have a big class of 360 kids, only about a fifth of whom are film majors. I don't just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/i-teach-at-usc-i-have-a-big-class-of-360-kids-only-about-a-fifth-of/) [Leonard Maltin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/) > [Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse... by Floyd Gottfredson will be warmly received by comics aficionados but should also intrigue Disney animation buffs who aren’t necessarily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/walt-disney-s-mickey-mouse-by-floyd-gottfredson-will-be-warmly/) [Leonard Maltin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/) > [The last person to stand still and repeat himself was Walt Disney. He refused to repeat himself. So to think that he'd be making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/the-last-person-to-stand-still-and-repeat-himself-was-walt-disney-he/) [Leonard Maltin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/) > [Los Angeles has the greatest concentration of surviving movie palaces in the United States, yet most residents have never been inside one of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/los-angeles-has-the-greatest-concentration-of-surviving-movie-palaces/) [Leonard Maltin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/) > [The subtle performances of the leads, the remarkable Irrfan Khan and the engaging Nimrat Kaur, make 'The Lunchbox' a pleasure to watch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/the-subtle-performances-of-the-leads-the-remarkable-irrfan-khan-and/) [Leonard Maltin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/) > [While it was occasionally done here or there, nobody else had a figurehead like Walt doing it. Jack Warner wasn't on TV. Walt was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/while-it-was-occasionally-done-here-or-there-nobody-else-had-a/) [Leonard Maltin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/) > [Joe Berlinger's documentary 'Whitey' is so hard-hitting and compelling, you can't take your eyes off the screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/joe-berlinger-s-documentary-whitey-is-so-hard-hitting-and-compelling/) [Leonard Maltin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/) [Explore all 36 Leonard Maltin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/) ## More Credibility quotes > [The word of the Lord is this: "Just bless those that persecute you and ask for Justice, for the battle does not belong to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-loren/the-word-of-the-lord-is-this-just-bless-those-that-persecute-you-and/) Julia Loren > [The documentary style is an incredibly flexible and useful one. It's a wonderful tool for establishing the credibility of the version of things that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gohlke/the-documentary-style-is-an-incredibly-flexible-and-useful-one-it-s-a/) [Frank Gohlke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gohlke/) > [PM Narendra Modi had promised to bring back black money, which he said could put Rs 15 lakh in each of our pockets. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/pm-narendra-modi-had-promised-to-bring-back-black-money-which-he-said/) [Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/) > [The short of it is, as an aspiring writer, there is nothing as damaging to your credibility as saying that you don't like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaled-hosseini/the-short-of-it-is-as-an-aspiring-writer-there-is-nothing-as-damaging/) [Khaled Hosseini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khaled-hosseini/) > [When the script for 'The Wrestler' kept coming to me I said, This movie is so good if you put me in the film…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hulk-hogan/when-the-script-for-the-wrestler-kept-coming-to-me-i-said-this-movie/) [Hulk Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hulk-hogan/) > [“Intellectually and compassionately explaining the reason freedom works is required for credibility.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/intellectually-and-compassionately-explaining-the-reason-freedom/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [ I can assure the conspiracy theorists who have very effectively savaged \[Gerald\] Posner in their books that they're going to have a much, much… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-bugliosi/i-can-assure-the-conspiracy-theorists-who-have-very-effectively/) [Vincent Bugliosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-bugliosi/) > [You may be right that people say: You know what, we had Obama. He was inexperienced. The guy had great rhetoric, sounded good, looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-rove/you-may-be-right-that-people-say-you-know-what-we-had-obama-he-was/) [Karl Rove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-rove/) > [Constantly there's a credibility issue; you're judged on how you look. If you look good, people assume you aren't credible. It's a battle you'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-guerrero/constantly-there-s-a-credibility-issue-you-re-judged-on-how-you-look/) [Lisa Guerrero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-guerrero/) > [Inconsistency on the part of pastors and the faithful between what they say and what they do, between word and manner of life, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/inconsistency-on-the-part-of-pastors-and-the-faithful-between-what/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Administrators are there because of the fans and the cricketers to run this game, so credibility of a game, or a board, or even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-dravid/administrators-are-there-because-of-the-fans-and-the-cricketers-to/) [Rahul Dravid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-dravid/) > [I think in fact that unless there is an organic link between the subjective impressions of the author and his objective representation of reality,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrei-tarkovsky/i-think-in-fact-that-unless-there-is-an-organic-link-between-the/) [Andrei Tarkovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrei-tarkovsky/) > [PROPHECY, n. The art and practice of selling one's credibility for future delivery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/prophecy-n-the-art-and-practice-of-selling-one-s-credibility-for/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Content that's generated out of America, whether it be film or music, has, in my opinion, much greater impact in sustaining our credibility and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyor-cohen/content-that-s-generated-out-of-america-whether-it-be-film-or-music/) [Lyor Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyor-cohen/) > [It's one thing to say, 'I don't like what you said to me and I find it rude and offensive,' but the moment you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/it-s-one-thing-to-say-i-don-t-like-what-you-said-to-me-and-i-find-it/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) [Browse all 571 Credibility quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/credibility/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If I were less than honest as a critic, I think people would spot that right away, and it would destroy my credibility.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Leonard Maltin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/if-i-were-less-than-honest-as-a-critic-i-think-people-would-spot-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Credibility" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/if-i-were-less-than-honest-as-a-critic-i-think-people-would-spot-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/leonard-maltin-17516_credibility_if-i-were-less-than-honest-as-a-critic-i_1173305.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/leonard-maltin-17516_credibility_if-i-were-less-than-honest-as-a-critic-i_1173305.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bba/leonard-maltin-17516_credibility_if-i-were-less-than-honest-as-a-critic-i_1173305.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If I were less than honest as a critic, I think people would spot that right away, and it would destroy my…” — Leonard Maltin", "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": "Leonard Maltin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-maltin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If I were less than honest...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/if-i-were-less-than-honest-as-a-critic-i-think-people-would-spot-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-maltin/if-i-were-less-than-honest-as-a-critic-i-think-people-would-spot-that/#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 } } ] } ```