“Doubtless criticism was originally benignant, pointing out the beauties of a work, rather than its defects. The passions of men have made it malignant, as the bad heart of Procrustes turned the bed, the symbol of repose, into an instrument of torture.”
Cite this quote
APA
Longfellow, H. W. (n.d.). Doubtless criticism was originally benignant, pointing out the beauties of a work, rather than its defects. The passions of men have made it malignant, as the bad heart of Procrustes turned the bed, the symbol of repose, into an instrument of torture. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12263-doubtless-criticism-was-originally-benignant-pointing-out/
MLA
Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. “Doubtless criticism was originally benignant, pointing out the beauties of a work, rather than its defects. The passions of men have made it malignant, as the bad heart of Procrustes turned the bed, the symbol of repose, into an instrument of torture.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12263-doubtless-criticism-was-originally-benignant-pointing-out/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
Chicago
Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. “Doubtless criticism was originally benignant, pointing out the beauties of a work, rather than its defects. The passions of men have made it malignant, as the bad heart of Procrustes turned the bed, the symbol of repose, into an instrument of torture.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12263-doubtless-criticism-was-originally-benignant-pointing-out/.