“ People ask you for criticism, but they only want praise. Besides, what's the good of criticism? What does it matter if your picture is good or bad? ”
W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage (1915). copy citation
| Author | W. Somerset Maugham |
|---|---|
| Source | Of Human Bondage |
| Topic | criticism praise |
| Date | 1915 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/351/pg351-images.html |
Context
“"I'd like to know what you think of it."
"No, I won't do that."
"Why not?" asked Philip, reddening.
The request was one which they all made of one another, and no one ever thought of refusing. Clutton shrugged his shoulders.
People ask you for criticism, but they only want praise. Besides, what's the good of criticism? What does it matter if your picture is good or bad? "It matters to me."
"No. The only reason that one paints is that one can't help it. It's a function like any of the other functions of the body, only comparatively few people have got it. One paints for oneself: otherwise one would commit suicide.” source
"No, I won't do that."
"Why not?" asked Philip, reddening.
The request was one which they all made of one another, and no one ever thought of refusing. Clutton shrugged his shoulders.
People ask you for criticism, but they only want praise. Besides, what's the good of criticism? What does it matter if your picture is good or bad? "It matters to me."
"No. The only reason that one paints is that one can't help it. It's a function like any of the other functions of the body, only comparatively few people have got it. One paints for oneself: otherwise one would commit suicide.” source
