TS ELIOT

The Perfect Critic, in The Sacred Wood 


When there is so much to be known, when, there are so many fields of knowledge in which the same words are used with different meanings, when every one knows a little about a great many things, it becomes increasingly difficult for anyone to know whether he knows what he is talking about or not.

The dogmatic critic, who lays down a rule, who affirms a value, has left his labour incomplete. Such statements may often be justifiable as a saving of time; but in matters of great importance the critic must not coerce, and he must not make judgments of worse or better. He must simply elucidate: the reader will form the correct judgment for himself.

Stama Irina Nicoleta

TS Eliot
 

Criticul perfect

Cand sunt atat de multe lucruri care trebuie stiute, cand sunt atatea domenii ale cunoasterii in care aceleasi cuvinte sunt folosite cu sensuri diferite, cand fiecare stie cate putin din toate, e din ce in ce mai greu sa stie daca vorbeste in cunostinta de cauza sau nu.
 

Criticul dogmatic ce stabileste o regula, care afirma o valoare, si-a lasat munca neterminata. Astefel de afirmatii se justifica uneori prin faptul ca economisesc timp, dar in probleme de importanta majora criticul nu trebuie sa constranga sau sa faca aprecieri despre ce e mai bine si ce e mai rau. El trebuie pur si simplu sa lamureasca: cititorul isi va forma singur parerea.