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Strike the dog dead, it's but a critic!
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Critics should not be taken too seriously, as they often lack the capability to create themselves.

This quote by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe suggests that critics are often unworthy of serious consideration, likening them to a 'dog' that is dead and no longer has any power. In the context of creative pursuits, it implies that one should not be deterred by criticism, especially from those who do not engage in the creative process themselves. It serves as a reminder to focus on one's own passions and endeavors rather than the opinions of naysayers.

Themes

CriticismCreativityOpinionConfidence

In practice

Example use cases

When discussing artistic creation, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of personal expression over outside criticism.

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All the knowledge I possess everyone else can acquire, but my heart is all my own.
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I am amazed to see how deliberately I have entangled myself step by step. To have seen my position so clearly, and yet to have acted so like a child!
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Seldom in the business and transactions of ordinary life, do we find the sympathy we want.
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Know thyself? If I knew myself I would run away.
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