Claud Cockburn Quotes

... the majority of us scarcely see more distinctly the faultiness of our own conduct than the faultiness of our own arguments, orthe dulness [sic] of our own jokes.

If I was gonna write a book that was true, and I was gonna write a book that was honest, then I was gonna have to write about myself in very, very negative ways.

'What am I missing?' is a much more important question than 'How cool am I?'

Observe all men, thyself most.

I'm my own severest critic, and I realize when I make mistakes.

I'm not afraid to blame myself for any of my own faults or just to analyze things in a different way, but I don't overanalyze, either.

I am absolutely my own biggest critic.

I'm the greatest critic of my work.

It is always good to self-analyse and be self-critical. That is how I've got through so far and improved.

Throughout my career, I have criticized my every single step and I am open to any criticism.

You have to be able to analyze yourself and critique yourself from every which way.

Ignorance is always ready to admire itself. Procure yourself critical friends.

As well as making friends with yourself, fundamentally one should be cynical and critical. This doesn't mean that you should punish yourself, but you just attack the areas of ego's indulgence. At the same time, you continue the friendship with yourself.

Wise criticism always begins with self-criticism.

It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us. This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good heart whatever they might have to say.

Self-criticism expands the opportunities for discourse and eliminates the need for an adversary.

The only way someone can be of help to you is in challenging your ideas. If you're ready to listen and if you're ready to be challenged, there's one thing that you can do, but no one can help you. What is this most important thing of all? It's called self-observation.

Sometimes I have that kind of critical mind to myself as well. This is because there are times where I have to do things that I don't wish to.

I'm wonderfully self-lacerating, probably to my character's detriment. I'm terribly open to critique.

Whenever we discover a dislike in us, toward any one, we should ever be a little suspicious of ourselves.

Be brutal with the past, especially your own, and have no respect for the philosophies that are foisted on you from outside.

God give me the wisdom to see the truth however contrary to my established beliefs.

Self criticism must be my guide to action, and the first rule for its employment is that in itself it is not a virtue, only a procedure.

Do not flinch from experiences that might destroy your beliefs. The thought you cannot think controls you more than thoughts you speak aloud. Submit yourself to ordeals and test yourself in fire. Relinquish the emotion which rests upon a mistaken belief, and seek to feel fully that emotion which fits the facts.

The examined life is no picnic.