Criticism of Criticism

Of all the cants that are canted in this world, thought the cant of hypocrites may be the worst, the cant of criticism is the most tormenting.” Perhaps we can all echo these words of an eighteenth century philosopher. Criticism is tormenting. But no doubt we all need it at times⎯and certainly it would be safe to say that we are all sometimes subject to criticism. The more we do the more we may expect criticism. And, paradoxically, the less we do the more we may expect criticism. And if we do nothing, we may also expect criticism. It is natural for people to appraise other people and to appraise other people’s performance. No man who lives in this world escapes appraisal of his performance. By reason of the very space he occupies, and the inevitable impact of his actions on others, every man must expect to be called to account for his actions and utterances. Tormenting though it may be, no individual, no group of individuals, should, for their own sakes, assume themselves to be above criticism, or should suppress honest opinion from outside or inside sources. Indeed, the person who insulates himself from criticism has lost a valuable safety factor. The right to criticize (and to be criticized) is exceedingly important. Whether ours is a public or a private trust, people will freely express their opinions concerning us and what we do. And even if we were able to suppress their outspoken opinions of others, or that we are not prompted by prejudice or envy or even ignorance. As Disraeli wrote: “It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.” And the critic himself is not above criticism. Criticism is not above criticism. And as we hold to the right to criticize others, we ourselves must expect to be criticized. Annoying as it may be, we cannot expect to do anything (or nothing) in this world without being subject to some criticism.