CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
1105
Critics have never been a welcome race at any time, and the
man who, while being a believer in criticism, has never detested his
critics, still has to be discovered. In fact, this would be like saying that
a man can take criticism lightly
and
seriously at the same time.
If
we
love the work we have done, as politicians, artists, craftsmen, any–
thing (and we
do
love it because nothing serious is done without
love), we will have to hate those who kill
it,
even though at a later
moment we may be very grateful to them. The acceptance of criticism
is the hardest part of creation.
But what is the state of criticism in our days? In the democratic
countries, sharp political critics are less frequent today than at any
time before. And by critics we mean loud critics, for the totalitarian
countries are just one continuous, inarticulate whisper of the best
criticism, the most brilliant remarks, the most poisonous jokes; one
could not want anything more to the point in the line of criticism, yet
a difference between those countries and the free countries must
exist. Unfortunately,
~p
the democratic countries, and especially in this
country, people are still laboring under the impression that to ques–
tion the wisdom of their leaders is to disturb them. Statesmen are busy
people, swamped with technical work, tired and nervous. Whoever
is not swamped with technical work, tired and nervous, but is instead
relaxed, serene and clear-minded, is almost by definition a good-for–
nothing and a parasite. Thus the very rare critics who still do their
job honestly and fearlessly are criticized today
because
they are able
to do it,
because
they are not corrupt, defeated by financial difficul–
ties, or by their own indifference. This being tl:e absurd situation, it is
about time what we begin to criticize the critics of the critics.
So let's begin with the most unpleasant truth. In the tradition of
the greatest masters of all time, criticism is above all negative and
destructive. "Someone may wonder," says Socrates in his
Apology,
"why I go about in private giving advice and busying myself with the
concerns of others, but do not venture to come forward in public and
advise the state.... I am certain, 0 men of Athens, that if I had
engaged in politics, I should have perished long ago, and done no
good either to you or to myself. And do not be offended at my telling
you the truth, for the truth is that no man who goes to war with you
or any other multitude honestly striving against the many lawless and
unrighteous deeds which are done in a state, will save his life;
he who
