About Quote by Paulo Coelho
“Writers are lampposts and critics are dogs. Ask lampposts what they think about dogs. Does the dog hurt the lamppost?”
About This Quote
The quote contrasts creators (writers) who illuminate ideas with evaluators (critics) who chase and sometimes bite, questioning the value of criticism versus creation.
In simple terms: Creation vs. criticism
Key Takeaway
Creators illuminate, critics can harm
Themes
creativity
criticism
power dynamics
value of art
metaphor
Mood
reflective
wry
thoughtful
Type
aphor
observation
commentary
When to use this quote
- a writer seeking feedback
- a critic reviewing a manuscript
- a workshop discussion
- a literary panel
- a classroom debate
Key Concepts
role of writer
role of critic
impact of judgment
dialogue between creation and evaluation
Practical Applications
- guiding writers on handling criticism
- designing balanced review processes
Questions to Reflect On
- How does criticism shape your creative process?
- When can criticism become a catalyst rather than a barrier?
A Different Perspective
Critics can also provide constructive insight that strengthens work, not just harm.
![“Asking a working writer what he thinks about critics is like asking a lamp-post what it feels about dogs." [ Time Magazine , October 31, 1977]” quote by John Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cd9/john-osborne-12988_critics_asking-a-working-writer-what-he-thinks-a_2547280.jpg)
