Critias Quotes on Knowledge
Critias was an Athenian aristocrat, sophist, tragedian, and statesman of the late fifth century BC and the most prominent of the Thirty Tyrants who ruled Athens after the city's defeat in the Peloponnesian War. This page collects quotes attributed to Critias on the topic of knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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Attributed to Critias:
“What lies beyond evidence is the proper realm of doubt.”
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Attributed to Critias:
“The wise person measures custom by reason, not the reverse.”
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“I am bound by my own definition of criticism: a disinterested endeavour to learn and propagate the best that is known and thought in the world.”
Matthew Arnold , Essays in Criticism, 1st Series, The Function of Criticism at the Present Time. -
“We should never let support blind us, or become a substitute for continuing to be both self-critical, and dedicated to our goals. We should not be dissuaded by our critics, but we should be able to honestly ask ourselves if there is anything to learn from them. Hopefully, the fact that sympathizers and critics are taking notice means that we are actually doing something.”
Arik Ascherman , Pursue Justice Whether You Are Praised, or Vilified (September 6, 2019), The Times of Israel . -
“Whatever else he may do, a critic reveals and criticises himself.”
Alfred Austin , In Veronica's Garden (London: Macmillan and Co., 1895), p. 91. -
“Alfred Austin , In Veronica's Garden (London: Macmillan and Co., 1895), p. 91.”
Whatever else he may do, a critic reveals and criticises himself. -
“CRITIC, n. A person who boasts himself hard to please because nobody tries to please him.”
Ambrose Bierce , The Cynic's Dictionary (1906); republished as The Devil's Dictionary (1911). -
“Ambrose Bierce , The Cynic's Dictionary (1906); republished as The Devil's Dictionary (1911).”
CRITIC, n. A person who boasts himself hard to please because nobody tries to please him. -
“Great art is a religious function...great criticism is, therefore—since it is necessary for great art—a religious function. Even when you're saying something negative, it might be in the service of the Lord”
Wayne C. Booth , "Art and the Church," Literature and Belief , 1981 -
“Wayne C. Booth , "Art and the Church," Literature and Belief , 1981”
Great art is a religious function...great criticism is, therefore—since it is necessary for great art—a religious function. Even when you're saying something negative, it might be in the service of the Lord