--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Neither praise or blame is the object of…" description: "\"Neither praise or blame is the object of true criticism. Justly to discriminate, firmly to establish, wisely to prescribe, and honestly to award. These..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa9/william-gilmore-simms-12905_blame_neither-praise-or-blame-is-the-object-of_1118119.jpg" --- # Neither praise or blame is the object of true criticism… ![“Neither praise or blame is the object of true criticism. Justly to discriminate, firmly to establish, wisely to prescribe, and honestly to award. These are the true aims and duties of criticism.” quote by William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa9/william-gilmore-simms-12905_blame_neither-praise-or-blame-is-the-object-of_1118119.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa9/william-gilmore-simms-12905_blame_neither-praise-or-blame-is-the-object-of_1118119.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa9/william-gilmore-simms-12905_blame_neither-praise-or-blame-is-the-object-of_1118119.jpg) > “Neither praise or blame is the object of true criticism. Justly to discriminate, firmly to establish, wisely to prescribe, and honestly to award. These are the true aims and duties of criticism.” [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True criticism aims to judge fairly, not to praise or blame, focusing on discrimination, establishment, prescription, and honest reward. **In simple terms:** Criticism should be fair and purposeful. Key Takeaway Judge impartially and focus on constructive evaluation. Themes fairness judgment criticism Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - academic peer review - artistic appraisal - performance feedback Key Concepts ethical standards critical methodology Questions to Reflect On - How can criticism balance honesty with empathy? - What criteria ensure fair judgment? A Different Perspective May overlook emotional impact of praise or blame. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) ## Related quotes > [“And all this, I said, just as today was the case with the beginnings of wireless, would be of no more service to man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/and-all-this-i-said-just-as-today-was-the-case-with-the-beginnings-of/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Let it not be assumed that the artist is so smug as to dislike true criticism. No sincere artist was ever completely satisfied with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-j-phillips/let-it-not-be-assumed-that-the-artist-is-so-smug-as-to-dislike-true/) [Walter J. Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-j-phillips/) > [To me, then, true criticism consists in trying to find out the intrinsic worth of the thing itself, and not in attributing a quality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/to-me-then-true-criticism-consists-in-trying-to-find-out-the/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [Praise and blame alike mean nothing. No, delightful as the pastime of measuring may be, it is the most futile of all occupations, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/praise-and-blame-alike-mean-nothing-no-delightful-as-the-pastime-of/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [“you can delegate the activity but not the responsibility; you can share the praise but not the blame.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-a-pychyl/you-can-delegate-the-activity-but-not-the-responsibility-you-can/) Timothy A. Pychyl > [Great tranquility of heart is his who cares for neither praise nor blame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/great-tranquility-of-heart-is-his-who-cares-for-neither-praise-nor/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [Be not too hasty either with praise or blame; speak always as though you were giving evidence before the judgement-seat of the Gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/be-not-too-hasty-either-with-praise-or-blame-speak-always-as-though/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [The world is a nest of crows; some caw in praise; some caw in derision. But men should be above the reach of praise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sathya-sai-baba/the-world-is-a-nest-of-crows-some-caw-in-praise-some-caw-in-derision/) [Sathya Sai Baba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sathya-sai-baba/) > [I pay no attention whatever to anybody's praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/i-pay-no-attention-whatever-to-anybody-s-praise-or-blame-i-simply/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [Praise of blame in the moment means little: it is how their decisions play out over time that matters, and so the redemption they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/praise-of-blame-in-the-moment-means-little-it-is-how-their-decisions/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Researchers have found that people with an internal locus of control tend to praise or blame themselves for success or failure, rather than assigning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/researchers-have-found-that-people-with-an-internal-locus-of-control/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [The enjoyment that all morality has given us to now and that it continues to give us--and so, what has kept it going up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/the-enjoyment-that-all-morality-has-given-us-to-now-and-that-it/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [You should know," said Estella. "I am what you have made me. Take all the praise, take all the blame; take all the success,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/you-should-know-said-estella-i-am-what-you-have-made-me-take-all-the/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [When the last moment arrives, praise and blame will be the same to you, to me, and to others. We are here to work,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/when-the-last-moment-arrives-praise-and-blame-will-be-the-same-to-you/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Praise and blame, good and bad, even heat and cold, must be equally acceptable to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/praise-and-blame-good-and-bad-even-heat-and-cold-must-be-equally/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) ## More by William Gilmore Simms > [Distinction is an eminence that is attained but too frequently at the expense of a fireside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/distinction-is-an-eminence-that-is-attained-but-too-frequently-at-the/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [I believe that economists put decimal points in their forecasts to show they have a sense of humor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/i-believe-that-economists-put-decimal-points-in-their-forecasts-to/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [Today's public opinion, though it may appear as light as air, may be tomorrow's legislation-for better or for worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/today-s-public-opinion-though-it-may-appear-as-light-as-air-may-be/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [The wonder is not that the world is so easily governed, but that so small a number of persons will suffice for the purpose.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/the-wonder-is-not-that-the-world-is-so-easily-governed-but-that-so/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [Tact is one of the first mental virtues, the absence of which is often fatal to the best of talents; it supplies the place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/tact-is-one-of-the-first-mental-virtues-the-absence-of-which-is-often/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [Ambition is frequently the only refuge which life has left to the denied or mortified affections. We chide at the grasping eye, the daring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/ambition-is-frequently-the-only-refuge-which-life-has-left-to-the/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [The true law of the race is progress and development. Whenever civilization pauses in the march of conquest, it is overthrown by the barbarian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/the-true-law-of-the-race-is-progress-and-development-whenever/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [Better that we should err in action than wholly refuse to perform. The storm is so much better than the calm, as it declares…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/better-that-we-should-err-in-action-than-wholly-refuse-to-perform-the/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [He who would acquire fame must not show himself afraid of censure. The dread of censure is the death of genius.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/he-who-would-acquire-fame-must-not-show-himself-afraid-of-censure-the/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [What we call vice in our neighbor may be nothing less than a crude virtue. To him who knows nothing more of precious stones…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/what-we-call-vice-in-our-neighbor-may-be-nothing-less-than-a-crude/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [The birth of a child is the imprisonment of a soul. The soul must work its way out of prison, and, in doing so,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/the-birth-of-a-child-is-the-imprisonment-of-a-soul-the-soul-must-work/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [Public opinion is the greatest force for good, when it happens to be on our side](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/public-opinion-is-the-greatest-force-for-good-when-it-happens-to-be/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [Vanity may be likened to the smooth-skinned and velvet-footed mouse, nibbling about forever in expectation of a crumb; while self-esteem is too apt to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/vanity-may-be-likened-to-the-smooth-skinned-and-velvet-footed-mouse/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [Tact is one of the first mental virtues, the absence of it is fatal to the best talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/tact-is-one-of-the-first-mental-virtues-the-absence-of-it-is-fatal-to/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [Revelation may not need the help of reason, but man does, even when in possession of revelation. Reason may be described as the candle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/revelation-may-not-need-the-help-of-reason-but-man-does-even-when-in/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) [Explore all 52 William Gilmore Simms quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) ## More Blame quotes > [“I have to blame myself for not finding any way of reaching him, but I can't feel that either Ruth or I had anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/i-have-to-blame-myself-for-not-finding-any-way-of-reaching-him-but-i/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [Me mum used to always have the radio on - even now she has it on in every room. Me girlfriend sort of blames…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-pilkington/me-mum-used-to-always-have-the-radio-on-even-now-she-has-it-on-in/) [Karl Pilkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-pilkington/) > [I like to praise and reward loudly, to blame quietly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-the-great/i-like-to-praise-and-reward-loudly-to-blame-quietly/) [Catherine the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-the-great/) > [Some of the things that I said I hated to say, but blame yourself mother fucker you made it this way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jedi-mind-tricks/some-of-the-things-that-i-said-i-hated-to-say-but-blame-yourself/) [Jedi Mind Tricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jedi-mind-tricks/) > [Holy shadows of the dead, I'm not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/holy-shadows-of-the-dead-i-m-not-to-blame-for-your-cruel-and-bitter/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [“In places where government priorities and market imperatives create a world so capricious that to help a neighbor is to risk your ability to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-boo/in-places-where-government-priorities-and-market-imperatives-create-a/) [Katherine Boo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-boo/) > [“Stop Blaming Others For Your Own Actions”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-g-roldan/stop-blaming-others-for-your-own-actions/) [Alexis G. Roldan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-g-roldan/) > [We know from this book entitled... What is it? Surrendered? Succumbed? I can never remember the title perform. And we learn from this book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/we-know-from-this-book-entitled-what-is-it-surrendered-succumbed-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I don't blame anyone .. I did this to myself .. It's my fault .. Everything is my FAULT ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nurnizz95/i-don-t-blame-anyone-i-did-this-to-myself-it-s-my-fault-everything-is/) Nurnizz95 > [“They would congratulate themselves every morning on keeping their integrity, and blame themselves each night for that missed opportunity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/they-would-congratulate-themselves-every-morning-on-keeping-their/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [I try to live my life where I end up at a point where I have no regrets. So I try to choose the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-aronofsky/i-try-to-live-my-life-where-i-end-up-at-a-point-where-i-have-no/) [Darren Aronofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-aronofsky/) > [How come you don't feel that magic in the air? I guess I knew you'll never be there. I guess I knew you never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/how-come-you-don-t-feel-that-magic-in-the-air-i-guess-i-knew-you-ll/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I am down mentally. I can't understand how it happened and who is to blame? I don't know why the ground was rolled before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yeasin-khan/i-am-down-mentally-i-can-t-understand-how-it-happened-and-who-is-to/) Yeasin Khan > [A refusal to admit one's mistake & not accepting responsibility for that mistake by blaming everyone else, is d beginning of one's decline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-refusal-to-admit-one-s-mistake-not-accepting-responsibility-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Listen, the guy was not created by coverage from MSNBC and CNN. If you want to blame us for making Donald Trump president because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-tur/listen-the-guy-was-not-created-by-coverage-from-msnbc-and-cnn-if-you/) [Katy Tur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-tur/) Browse all 3,779 Blame quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Neither praise or blame is the object of true criticism. 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