"Criticism is the art of appraising others at one's own value"

Appraising others is an act rooted not only in an evaluation of their qualities but also in the standards of the evaluator. When George Jean Nathan observes that criticism is the art of appraising others at one's own value, he touches upon the fundamentally subjective nature of criticism. Every judgment reflects the critic's perspective, biases, ideals, and sense of worth. A critic, whether assessing a painting, a performance, or another person’s character, inevitably frames the assessment within the boundaries of personal values and beliefs.

Criticism, then, becomes less of an objective measure and more of a mirror reflecting the critic’s own ideals. When someone critiques another, they often highlight what they themselves deem significant. For instance, a critic who prizes originality will praise or condemn based on perceived innovation, overlooking or undervaluing elements others might deem essential, such as tradition or method. The act of appraisal functions as a revelation of what the critic cherishes, dismisses, or ignores.

This perspective invites reflection on the authenticity and fairness of criticism. If evaluations are deeply colored by personal values, they are less about the intrinsic worth of the subject and more about the critic’s worldview. The phrase ‘at one’s own value’ suggests a kind of unintentional egocentrism; critics, even when striving for impartiality, cannot entirely escape their preferences. The subject’s qualities are weighed not by universal standards, but by the measuring stick of the critic’s own tastes and priorities.

Consequently, this insight encourages humility in both giving and receiving criticism. Recognizing that appraisals originate from individual values, the audience can interpret feedback as a dialog between perspectives, rather than as absolute truth. The process of criticism, viewed through Nathan’s lens, becomes an interplay of subjective judgments, underscoring the importance of self-awareness and open-mindedness in both the critic and the recipient.