Jonathan Franzen Quotes

Criticism is frightening.

I've had some bad reviews, but not as bad as the things I could imagine for myself.

One thing my wife says is bad about me, is that I still care too much.

No matter how much good you do, there will always be a few per cent of people who don't support you.

You can find things about me you don't like. And frankly, I don't want to hear it.

Lots of people hate my stuff.

If I could change one thing about myself I'd be less highly strung. I find my sensibility quite high maintenance.

No one likes to be criticized.

I get criticized for anything I do.

I did not approve of the TV spot, and when my opinion was asked, I recommended that it be removed from the air.

People are mad about our policies, They’re not necessarily mad at us.

One bad review can destroy me. It hurts so bad.

Usually, when somebody really hates your book, they're not going to waste time on it, telling you what you need to work on.

Even when my grandparents compliment me, I don't like when they do that.

At the German FA, they don't like criticism.

Critics are critics: their job is to find things wrong with people.

If some part of the review is true, those are the ones that sting.

We have our detractors. If we didn't, that would be weird. That would make me feel, 'Oh God, we must be really bland.' You have to have detractors.

When you dig down and look at the people who are vocal in their criticism of me, it's a small number.

I think whatever dress you wear, people will criticise you. Different people have different opinions.

You're always going to have your detractors.

Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe, Are lost on hearers that our merits know.

Whatever your work and whatever its worth, No matter how strong or clever, Some one will sneer if you pause to hear, And scoff at your best endeavor. For the target art has a broad expanse, And wherever you chance to hit it, Though close be your aim to the bull's-eye fame, There are those who will never admit it.

why won't they leave me alone? don't they realize I have a tinder heart and a paper body and that any spark will turn me straight to ash?

The happier a man, the more apt he is to tremble. In hearts exclusively tender, anxiety and jealousy are in exact proportion to happiness.