“It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt
I realized a number of years ago that any time you spend as a critic is time that could have been otherwise put to productive use.
Constructive criticism and critiques offered with the genuine intent of helping another overcome obstacles can improve the world, but whiny rants with no other intent than to denigrate or vilify have neither purpose nor value.
If you wouldn’t write and and sign it, then don’t say it.
Gregory Hake 
Being Critical of others, indicates ones internal orientation in lack and limitation.
Whats wrong with someone is beside the point, what’s right with someone is the point!
Thanks for the “no wiggle room” point.
I will be certain from here forward to maintain orientation in what’s right and draw that out, rather than identify and agree with something that doesn’t belong, thereby continuing it’s existence.
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I really like the last sentence in your post, and I think it’s a criteria that could be invoked more often. Whether or not you actually write out and put your name to something, people get and idea of what kind of person you are from the totality of the things you say and do. If you have a habit of constantly whining and complaining about things, even if it is just something you do when you are trying to vent pressure, people will notice. If you learn to keep your mouth shut, you often can see the non-obvious solutions that you would have just been complaining about to no avail.
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So true, Gregg. Thanks for this concise post today. I’ll put its message to good use with my students this week.
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Well said, and from your posts over the past couple of years I can tell it is well practiced by you.
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Yes!
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I don’t thInk anyone would wish at the end of their life that they had complained more. I’d rather look back and be pleased with the quality of what I said and did. Great points, once again – thank you.
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Amen Gregg!!!!
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Rats! Another poor excuse for living exposed!
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Benjamin Franklin said “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.” Still true! Great post and advice. Thanks.
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So true. Whiny destructive rants tell us more about the speaker than the subject.
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That’s the question we should always ask ourselves before we use the anonymity of the Internet. I keep hearing that everything has change you can say whatever you want now; but in actual fact nothing has changed we’re still are responsible for everything we feel, think or do. I watched my seasonal “Scrooge” last evening and I think Mr. Dickens could be right. If we do carry for eternity the chains that we forged in life we need to give great care to what we forge! There’s always an accounting.
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