A single steel pin standing upright beside a heap of cotton puffs on a blue plate.

Original artwork, not a still

Johannes Kepler

I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker says one sharp, thoughtful critic is worth more than a crowd's easy applause. Cheering that comes without thinking tells you little, while pointed criticism from someone who really understands teaches something, and so is preferred.

Context reviewed

Share this quote