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.

Elena Cigareanu

TS Eliot
 

Critica Perfecta, in Padurea Sacra

Atunci cand exista atat de multe lucruri care trebuie stiute, atunci cand exista atat de multe domenii ale cunoasterii in care aceleasi cuvinte sunt folosite cu sensuri diferite, cand toata lumea stie cate putin despre lucrurile marete, devine din ce in ce mai dificil pentru orisicine sa stie daca are sau nu idee despre ce vorbeşte.
Critica dogmatica, care stabileste o regula, care afirma o valoare, si-a lasat opera incompleta. Aceste afirmatii ar putea fi adesea justificate ca o economisire a timpului; insa in termeni de importanta critica nu trebuie sa fie oprimanta, si nu trebuie să emita judecati de rau sau bine. Ea trebuie doar sa explice: cititorul va emite singur judecatile corecte.