35 Quotes About Criticism to Make Us Stronger

Critical words can be hard to swallow.

Quotes about criticism help us determine their value and perhaps make them go down a little easier.

Criticism comes in a variety of forms. It can be constructive in an attempt to make us better, or destructive to tear us down.

We can be at the receiving end or at the source of delivery. 

Regardless, criticism is never comfortable to hear. And it should often be more sparingly and thoughtfully said.

As a basketball player, criticism from coaches is necessary for growth. Listening to what coaches say and responding by making necessary corrections is a desirable athletic quality we call being coachable.

No excuses. No arguments. No bad attitudes. Just a desire to get better.

Learning how to take constructive criticism is a must for any player who wants to improve.

On the other hand, there's an insidious disease that runs rampant in our society. And youth sports are not immune.

Hateful, destructive, critical words are spewed from sidelines across the country each week, tearing down coaches, teammates, opponents, players, and officials.  

Like the water that rolls off my dog's back during bath time, we've got to teach our young athletes how to let go of the destructive, untrue words directed at them from the mouths of jealous, angry, frustrated, or disappointed people. 

Hopefully these quotes about criticism will offer some insight, relief, clarity, and truth during difficult times.  

Quotes about criticism help put things in perspective

"The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism." - Norman Vincent Peale

"Taking constructive criticism from others is required to get to the next level." - Wendy Starland

"There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing." - Aristotle

"Fearing criticism is fearing progress." - Marsha Egan, CSP, PCC

If you are never criticized, you may not be doing much that makes a difference." - Unknown

"Never assume that every critic is a hater. Not everyone is hating on you. Some are telling you the truth." - Unknown

"Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things." - Winston Churchill

"Should you find a wise critic to point out your faults, follow him as you would a guide to hidden treasure." - The Buddha

"Learn to see the difference between constructive and destructive criticism. Appreciate the constructive, ignore the destructive." - John Douglas

"Be open to criticism but don't be affected by it. Criticism is meant to help you be a better person. Learn from it." - Unknown

Quotes About Criticism

"Accept both compliments and criticism. It takes both sun and rain for a flower to grow." - Unknown

"Positive criticism is a good friend. Insincere flattery is a fake friend." - Dr. T.P. Chia

"Don't let compliments get to your head and don't let criticism get to your heart." - Lysa Terkeurst

"Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man's growth without destroying his roots." - Frank Clark

"He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help." - Abraham Lincoln

"Sandwich every bit of criticism between two layers of praise." - Mary Kay Ash

"Shout praise. Whisper criticism." - Don Meyer

"Criticism is the price of ambition." - Robin S. Sharma

"Learn to use criticism as fuel and you will never run out of energy." - Orrin Woodward

"If there is no criticism, you become lazy. But it should be constructive, and it should be the truth. If it's biased and there's no truth in it, then I don't care about it. If it's true, it helps me grow." - A.R. Rahman

Quotes About Criticism

"I like criticism. It makes you strong." - LeBron James

"Criticism is information that will help you grow." - Unknown

"Criticism precedes admiration and - like it or not - goes hand in hand with success." - Grant Cardone

"You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one." - John Wooden

"Don't get angry; get better." - Tony DiCicco

"The greatest strength any human being is to recognize his or her own weaknesses. When you identify your weaknesses, you can begin to remedy them – or at least figure out how to work around them." - Pat Summitt

"It is what you learn after you know it all that counts." - John Wooden

"Children need models rather than critics." - Joseph Joubert

"I like constructive criticism from smart people." - Prince

"If you take everything personally and to heart, it will tear you apart. Take criticism, learn, adjust, and move on." - Johnny Iuzzini

Quotes About Criticism

"No one is perfect, and criticism is always welcome and expected." - Amitabh Bachnan

"In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated to your chosen sport. You must also be prepared to work hard and be willing to accept constructive criticism. Without one-hundred percent dedication, you won't be able to do this." - Willie Mays

"You're never as good as everyone tells you when you win, and you're never as bad as they say when you lose." - Lou Holtz

"Concern over criticism clogs creativity." - Duane Alan Hahn

"I don't deal with criticism. That's time and energy wasted. What was said? I don't know. Because I don't have the time and energy. I'm consumed with our players to be successful on and off the basketball court. I don't have that kid of time or energy. I'm consumed with success." - Cuonzo Martin

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