"Poetry criticism at its worst today is mean in spirit and spiteful in intent, as if determined to inflict the wound that will spur the artist to new heights if it does not cripple him or her."

Art

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Thematic Reflection

This quotation examines the core nature of Art as articulated by David Lehman. Within historical and literary traditions, reflections on Art provide actionable mental models, challenging individuals to evaluate personal ethics, self-discipline, and daily actions.

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About David Lehman

David Lehman is an American poet, non-fiction writer, literary critic, and the founder and series editor for The Best American Poetry. He was a writer and freelance journalist for fifteen years, writing for such publications as Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. In 2006, Lehman served as Editor for the new Oxford Book of American Poetry. He taught and was the Poetry Coordinator at The New School in New York City until May 2018.

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— Jonathan Davis
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"To the man who loves art for its own sake, it is frequently in its least important and lowliest manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived."

— Arthur Conan Doyle
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"Every human is an artist. And this is the main art that we have: the creation of our story."

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— Marcel Marceau
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