Be kind Quote by Malcolm Cowley
“Be kind and considerate with your criticism... It's just as hard to write a bad book as it is to write a good book.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of Criticism, 1975
Criticism should be delivered with empathy, recognizing the difficulty of creating both poor and excellent work.
In simple terms: Offer feedback kindly, acknowledging the challenge of writing.
Key Takeaway
Be empathetic when critiquing.
Themes
empathy
criticism
creativity
Mood
thoughtful
constructive
Type
advice
literary.
When to use this quote
- editing
- teaching
- peer review
- author workshops
Key Concepts
literary criticism
psychology of creation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you phrase criticism to motivate improvement?
- What aspects of a work deserve praise before critique?
A Different Perspective
Criticism can still discourage if not balanced with encouragement.
