--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you want to avoid criticism, then you…" description: "\"If you want to avoid criticism, then you shouldn't be a historian, because historians are trying to understand and explain. If you're trying to please ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d31/timothy-d-snyder-12961_business_if-you-want-to-avoid-criticism-then-you_2721016.jpg" --- # If you want to avoid criticism, then you shouldn't be a… ![“If you want to avoid criticism, then you shouldn't be a historian, because historians are trying to understand and explain. If you're trying to please people, then you should go into the fashion business, or the candy business.” quote by Timothy D. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d31/timothy-d-snyder-12961_business_if-you-want-to-avoid-criticism-then-you_2721016.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d31/timothy-d-snyder-12961_business_if-you-want-to-avoid-criticism-then-you_2721016.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d31/timothy-d-snyder-12961_business_if-you-want-to-avoid-criticism-then-you_2721016.jpg) > “If you want to avoid criticism, then you shouldn't be a historian, because historians are trying to understand and explain. If you're trying to please people, then you should go into the fashion business, or the candy business.” [Timothy D. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-d-snyder/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Historians face criticism because they interpret the past; avoiding it means abandoning the field. **In simple terms:** History requires confronting critique, unlike fashion or candy. Key Takeaway Embrace critique as part of scholarly work. Themes academic integrity public perception disciplinary challenges Mood critical defensive Type academic philosophical When to use this quote - research - teaching - public history Key Concepts historical methodology public discourse Questions to Reflect On - Why is criticism essential for historians? - How can scholars communicate findings without alienating audiences? A Different Perspective May oversimplify other professions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism/) [Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) [Fashion business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion-business/) [Historians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historians/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [“Art is personal, criticism shouldn't be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dapre/art-is-personal-criticism-shouldn-t-be/) Alan Dapre > [It doesn't bother me what people are saying. Social media is there for people to voice their criticism, so you shouldn't take that to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jofra-archer/it-doesn-t-bother-me-what-people-are-saying-social-media-is-there-for/) [Jofra Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jofra-archer/) > [Criticism shouldn't be a performance that upstages the work it's talking about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-pinckney/criticism-shouldn-t-be-a-performance-that-upstages-the-work-it-s/) [Darryl Pinckney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-pinckney/) > [Criticism is part of being in the marketplace. 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