Marcus Sakey Quotes

I don't delve too deep into reviews.

I'm usually one of these guys analyzing what does happen and putting it in focus and context.

I don't know what to say about literary critics. I think it's probably best to say nothing.

If you would judge, understand.

I know all the critics.

The answers you get from literature depend on the questions you pose.

REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work upon a book, and so read out of it/ The qualities that you have first read into it.

The practice of "reviewing"... in general has nothing in common with the art of criticism.

Let us consider the critic, therefore, as a discoverer of discoveries.

Seeing someone else perform and letting me be the critic for once... that's not a bad thing.

The critic should describe, and not prescribe.

But the truth is that critics are by definition critical. That's their job.

I will come out with my interpretation. If I'm wrong, fine. It will become part of the debris of history, part of the give and take.

Perspective gives us the ability to accurately contrast the large with the small, and the important with the less important. Without it we are lost in a world where all ideas, news, and information look the same. We cannot differentiate, we cannot prioritize, and we cannot make good choices.

If people aren't creating literature, there would be nothing for people to criticize.

Judgment is contained in the act of trying to understand.

The strength of criticism lies in the weakness of the thing criticized.

Those who do not read criticism will rarely merit to be criticised.

I have nine armchairs from which I can be critical.

I don't do commentaries; I can't listen to them, either.

We should be wrong to demand that a critic must stay on the point all the time; it is enough if he remains in orbit around it.

A critic knows more than the author he criticizes, or just as much, or at least somewhat less.

If you read, you'll judge.

The true work of a critic is not to make his hearer believe him, but agree with him.

I love reviews. Anybody who tells you they don't read reviews is a liar.