Praise or blame has but a momentary effect on the man whose love of beauty in the abstract makes him a severe critic on his own works.
The life of a good man is at the same time the most eloquent lesson of virtue and the most severe reproof of vice.
A thousand deaths would still be less than he deserves.
History is a stern judge.
Men have commonly more pleasure in the criticism which hurts than in that which is innocuous, and are more tolerant of the severity which breaks hearts and ruins fortunes than of that which falls impotently on the grave.
The people are as severe toward the clergy as toward women; they want to see absolute devotion to duty from both.
Adversity, which makes us indulgent to others, renders them severe towards us.
This editor is a critic. He has pulled out his carving-knife and his tomahawk and is starting after a book which he is going to have for breakfast.
Philosophers are very severe towards other philosophers because they expect too much.
Beauty is merciless. You do not look at it, it looks at you and does not forgive.
The world is deceitful; her end is doubtful, her conclusion is horrible, her judge terrible, and her judgment is intolerable.
