--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think everyone is their harshest…" description: "\"I think everyone is their harshest critic, but I strive for excellence as much as I can because I think it shows.\" — Zachary Levi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3df/zachary-levi-9341_critics_i-think-everyone-is-their-harshest-criti_930423.png" --- # I think everyone is their harshest critic, but I strive… ![“I think everyone is their harshest critic, but I strive for excellence as much as I can because I think it shows.” quote by Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3df/zachary-levi-9341_critics_i-think-everyone-is-their-harshest-criti_930423.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3df/zachary-levi-9341_critics_i-think-everyone-is-their-harshest-criti_930423.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3df/zachary-levi-9341_critics_i-think-everyone-is-their-harshest-criti_930423.png) > “I think everyone is their harshest critic, but I strive for excellence as much as I can because I think it shows.” [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often criticize themselves; striving for excellence shows self-respect. **In simple terms:** Self‑criticism is common; aim for excellence. Key Takeaway Practice self‑compassion while improving. Themes self‑criticism excellence self‑respect Mood reflective determined Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - public speaking - skill learning - fitness training Key Concepts psychology personal development confidence Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance self‑critique and self‑kindness? - What standards truly reflect your values? A Different Perspective Excellence can become perfectionism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Strive For Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strive-for-excellence/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Sometimes you are your harshest critic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-bognar/sometimes-you-are-your-harshest-critic/) [Jenna Bognar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-bognar/) > [“I'm my best and harshest critic. I know what's good and what isn't.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/i-m-my-best-and-harshest-critic-i-know-what-s-good-and-what-isn-t/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [As I wrote more I became more critical of myself and I think that you have to be your harshest judge. I don't ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer-hickam/as-i-wrote-more-i-became-more-critical-of-myself-and-i-think-that-you/) [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) > [Whenever people talk glibly of a need to achieve educational "excellence," I think of what an improvement it would be if our public schools…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/whenever-people-talk-glibly-of-a-need-to-achieve-educational/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [I didn't do myself any favours. I would be resentful of my own ideas even before I'd said them out loud. But music was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-garratt/i-didn-t-do-myself-any-favours-i-would-be-resentful-of-my-own-ideas/) [Jack Garratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-garratt/) > [As a director, you have to go in with a really, really, really clear picture of what you want. That's the point of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-slade/as-a-director-you-have-to-go-in-with-a-really-really-really-clear-2/) [David Slade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-slade/) > [I'm my own harshest critic but I'm also master of my own destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gladys-berejiklian/i-m-my-own-harshest-critic-but-i-m-also-master-of-my-own-destiny/) [Gladys Berejiklian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gladys-berejiklian/) > [I'm my own worst critic and harshest critic and I just want to put honest music out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-bruno/i-m-my-own-worst-critic-and-harshest-critic-and-i-just-want-to-put/) [Aaron Bruno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-bruno/) > [What I think of as a mistake might be something that does really well at the box office, so I'm my own harshest critic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/what-i-think-of-as-a-mistake-might-be-something-that-does-really-well/) [Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/) > [Your harshest critic is always going to be yourself. Don't ignore that critic but don't give it more attention than it deserves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ian-black/your-harshest-critic-is-always-going-to-be-yourself-don-t-ignore-that/) [Michael Ian Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ian-black/) > [I relate to the feeling that Da Vinci was often plagued by the idea that what he did wasn't good enough, that he was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-relate-to-the-feeling-that-da-vinci-was-often-plagued-by-the-idea/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [It's hard when you read an article saying bad things about you. It is as if someone is sticking a knife on your heart.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-williams/it-s-hard-when-you-read-an-article-saying-bad-things-about-you-it-is/) [Robin Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-williams/) > [At the age of five she has already come to terms with one of the life's harshest lessons: that the world isn't fair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tabitha-suzuma/at-the-age-of-five-she-has-already-come-to-terms-with-one-of-the-life/) [Tabitha Suzuma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tabitha-suzuma/) > [“We are often our own harshest critics”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-hart/we-are-often-our-own-harshest-critics/) [Megan Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-hart/) > [The harshest winter finds an invincible summer in us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-harshest-winter-finds-an-invincible-summer-in-us/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) ## More by Zachary Levi > [I'm a 'Lost' guy, I love 'Lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/i-m-a-lost-guy-i-love-lost/) [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) > [I think that it's much easier for a recording artist to become an actor than for an actor to become a recording artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/i-think-that-it-s-much-easier-for-a-recording-artist-to-become-an/) [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) > [I think that 'Family Guy' is hysterical. It's edgy and hip - and they can do whatever they want to do because it's animated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/i-think-that-family-guy-is-hysterical-it-s-edgy-and-hip-and-they-can/) [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) > [If somebody says 'singer-songwriter' to me, the first person I think of is James Taylor. There are plenty of modern singer-songwriters, but there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/if-somebody-says-singer-songwriter-to-me-the-first-person-i-think-of/) [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) > [My family was always very supportive. Whether you're an actor or not, everybody hears the horror stories of people going to L.A. and trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/my-family-was-always-very-supportive-whether-you-re-an-actor-or-not/) [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) > [A lot of people, especially Christians, want to put you in this box of being a Christian actor, and I don't believe in it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/a-lot-of-people-especially-christians-want-to-put-you-in-this-box-of/) [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) > [I love being able to be the artist of the whole picture, as opposed to just one of the brushes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/i-love-being-able-to-be-the-artist-of-the-whole-picture-as-opposed-to/) [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) > [I'm totally a geek.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/i-m-totally-a-geek/) [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) > [I'm a huge Disney nut. I have been since I was a little kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/i-m-a-huge-disney-nut-i-have-been-since-i-was-a-little-kid/) [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) > [I wish it was a little easier for an actor to later go into singing and have it be accepted, but maybe I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/i-wish-it-was-a-little-easier-for-an-actor-to-later-go-into-singing/) [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) > [I do think about The Flash often. I think that could be a really fun role to play at some point. That's right up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/i-do-think-about-the-flash-often-i-think-that-could-be-a-really-fun/) [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) > [Oftentimes, people start with something, whatever it is, and it's great, but over the years, it loses its focus or way and corners get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/oftentimes-people-start-with-something-whatever-it-is-and-it-s-great/) [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) > [I can destroy a dance floor. I think life should be a musical. I always hate it when people watch a musical and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/i-can-destroy-a-dance-floor-i-think-life-should-be-a-musical-i-always/) [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) > [My high school experience was pretty good, but my middle school experience was god awful. It was horrible. I got picked on like no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/my-high-school-experience-was-pretty-good-but-my-middle-school/) [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) > [I love hosting. I've always really enjoyed making people happy, and so anytime I'm doing anything or the event is doing anything, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/i-love-hosting-i-ve-always-really-enjoyed-making-people-happy-and-so/) [Zachary Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) [Explore all 73 Zachary Levi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/) ## More Critics quotes > [The worst advice? 'Don't listen to the critics.' I think that you really ought to listen to the critics, because sometimes they're telling you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-worst-advice-don-t-listen-to-the-critics-i-think-that-you-really/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Critics are biased, and so are readers. (Indeed, a critic is a bundle of biases held loosely together by a sense of taste.) But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-balliett/critics-are-biased-and-so-are-readers-indeed-a-critic-is-a-bundle-of/) Whitney Balliett > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [Popular culture as a whole is popular, but in today's fragmented market it's a jostle of competing unpopular popular cultures. As the critic Stanley…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/popular-culture-as-a-whole-is-popular-but-in-today-s-fragmented/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [There was a cultural war going on, the '60s was going on. All the film critics were square.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/there-was-a-cultural-war-going-on-the-60s-was-going-on-all-the-film/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [Capitalists have done more good for society through their charitable giving, philanthropy and generosity than all their critics combined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cook/capitalists-have-done-more-good-for-society-through-their-charitable/) [James Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cook/) > [I get that the media wants us to play theater critics and critique every other proposal. What I'm focusing on are my own policy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-get-that-the-media-wants-us-to-play-theater-critics-and-critique/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [The Yippies, their lifestyle is different from mine. But I consider Jerry Rubin and Abbie Hoffman inspired critics of the kind of society that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-dellinger/the-yippies-their-lifestyle-is-different-from-mine-but-i-consider/) [David Dellinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-dellinger/) > [This one goes out to all my critics: don't you feel stupid? Look how I did it. Look how it came to pass when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/this-one-goes-out-to-all-my-critics-don-t-you-feel-stupid-look-how-i/) [Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/) > [There's a lot of stuff I want to do, just things that I want to explore that don't involve show business. I'm going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-sheen/there-s-a-lot-of-stuff-i-want-to-do-just-things-that-i-want-to/) [Charlie Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-sheen/) > [Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/whatever-course-you-decide-upon-there-is-always-someone-to-tell-you/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Nearly all the writing of our time is likely to disappear in a hundred years. Certainly most readers - and nearly all critics -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dirda/nearly-all-the-writing-of-our-time-is-likely-to-disappear-in-a/) [Michael Dirda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dirda/) > [David Rockefeller is the most conspicuous representative today of the ruling class, a multinational fraternity of men who shape the global economy and manage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-moyers/david-rockefeller-is-the-most-conspicuous-representative-today-of-the/) [Bill Moyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-moyers/) > [The boundaries between contemporary art and cinema are so rigid. It's unbelievable. The film critics don't know my artwork and the art world doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/the-boundaries-between-contemporary-art-and-cinema-are-so-rigid-it-s/) [Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/) > [A certain type of critic doesn't really want French movies to be visual. They think movies started from books and they forgot this part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-tautou/a-certain-type-of-critic-doesn-t-really-want-french-movies-to-be/) [Audrey Tautou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-tautou/) Browse all 2,637 Critics quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think everyone is their harshest critic, but I strive for excellence as much as I can because I think it shows.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Zachary Levi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/i-think-everyone-is-their-harshest-critic-but-i-strive-for-excellence/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Critics" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/i-think-everyone-is-their-harshest-critic-but-i-strive-for-excellence/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3df/zachary-levi-9341_critics_i-think-everyone-is-their-harshest-criti_930423.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3df/zachary-levi-9341_critics_i-think-everyone-is-their-harshest-criti_930423.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3df/zachary-levi-9341_critics_i-think-everyone-is-their-harshest-criti_930423.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think everyone is their harshest critic, but I strive for excellence as much as I can because I think it…” — Zachary Levi", "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": "Zachary Levi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-levi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think everyone is their harshest...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/i-think-everyone-is-their-harshest-critic-but-i-strive-for-excellence/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-levi/i-think-everyone-is-their-harshest-critic-but-i-strive-for-excellence/#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 } } ] } ```