CRITICISM
He who affirms that Christianity makes men miserable, is himself an utter stranger
to it. ME542
What we wish to see we shall see or think we see. Faults are always thick where love
is thin. PT68
A very plain-spoken enemy may do us ten times more service than an indulgent
friend. TN248
Remember, you may get into hell by criticism, but you will never criticise your soul
out of it. 165.5
Dear friend, do not become a fault-finder, it is as bad a trade as a pick-pocket’s. Till
you can do better, hold your tongue! Did you ever know a man or woman whom God
blessed that was perfect? If God were to work by perfect instruments, the
instruments would earn a part of the glory. 1113.299
I think any minister will tell you it is the people who do nothing themselves in a
church that find fault with those who do the work. 1400.115
Brethren, our Lord was no critic. No, among the brotherhood of fault-finders you
never see the Christ of God. When he has to deal with sincere people, he picks no
holes, imputes no motives, and dwells on no mistakes. 1422.378
Brother, if any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him; for you are worse
than he thinks you to be. If he charges you falsely on some point, yet be satisfied, for
if he knew you better he might change the accusation, and you would be no gainer by
the correction. If you have your moral portrait painted, and it is ugly, be satisfied;
for it only needs a few blacker touches, and it would be still nearer the truth. 2031.367
Somebody has said a very nasty thing about us. Well, well; we will answer him when
we have got through the work we have at hand, namely, praising God continually. At
present we have a great work to do, and cannot come down to wrangle. Self-love and
its natural irritations die in the blaze of praise. 2048.573
There never was an enterprise started yet but somebody objected to it; and I do not
believe that the best work that Christ himself ever did was beyond criticism; there
were some people who were sure to find some fault with it. 2264.327
One gets by degrees into such a condition that it does not matter what people say.
And, after all, does it ever really matter what they say? 2669.163
Now, recollect, those are always coldest that do not plough, for those that plough get
warm. I have always noticed that the people in a church, who quarrel, are the idle
ones. Those that do nothing always grumble. 2766.81
It is sometimes said that, when a boy is flogged wrongfully, “If he does not deserve it
now, he probably has deserved it at some other time when he has not had it, or he
will deserve it in the future.” So, if a rebuke should come to me wrongfully, I will lay
it by in case I need it at another time. 3037.213
It is very easy to pick holes in other people’s work, but it is far more profitable to do
better work yourself. Is there a fool in all the world that cannot criticise? 3193.182
Those Christian people who do nothing are usually troublesome, for they are at
leisure to find fault with those who are doing their best. 3313.363