“I myself have not met a self‐confessed liberal since the late fifties (and even then it was a tacky thing to admit, like coming from the middle class or the Middle West, those two gloomy seedbeds of talent), yet hardly a day passes that I don't read another attack on the “typical liberal” — as it might be announcing a pest of dinosaurs or a plague of unicorns.” TwoSelfMightClassMiddleTalentMetsLateWestMiddle ClassTypicalPlagueDinosaursGloomyUnicornAnnouncingPestsTacky Author:Wilfrid Sheed
“It is a fallacy to think that carping is the strongest form of criticism: the important work begins after the artist's mistakes have been pointed out, and the reviewer can't put it off indefinitely with sneers, although some neophytes might be tempted to try: "When in doubt, stick out your tongue" is a safe rule that never cost one any readers. But there's nothing strong about it, and it has nothing to do with the real business of criticism, which is to do justice to the best work of one's time, so that nothing gets lost.” ThinkingTryingHas BeensImportantRealMightFormArtistLostStrongJusticeMistakeDoubtReaderCostSafeCriticismSticksTongueStrongestTemptedBest WorkFallacyReviewersWhen In DoubtSneerImportant Work Author:Wilfrid Sheed
“Mankind has always made too much of its saints and heroes, and how the latter handle the fuss might be called their final test.” MadeMightToo MuchMankindHeroTestsFinalsSaintHandleLatter Author:Wilfrid Sheed
