"I suppose when I started out I would have liked to have been the darling of critics or something, but everybody wants to be loved and admired"

In this quote, John Milius reflects on his early aspirations and the generally human desire for acknowledgment and admiration. It's a personal admission that resonates broadly with anyone who has started a creative or expert journey. Milius acknowledges his preliminary yearning to be commemorated by critics, which is symbolic of the validation that lots of artists and professionals look for. This desire is rooted in a fundamental human need for acceptance and affirmation, a theme that transcends specific fields and speaks to the core of self-esteem and identity.

The phrase "beloved of critics" suggests an idealized status where one's work is consulted with prevalent praise and approval from reliable voices in a given field. Critics often serve as gatekeepers of taste and quality, and thus, becoming their "beloved" suggests reaching a certain pinnacle of success. Milius appears to indicate that accomplishment, in its most admired type, includes not just personal complete satisfaction but also external approval, particularly from those considered well-informed and influential.

Additionally, the latter part of the quote, "everyone wishes to be loved and appreciated," broadens this desire beyond expert recognition to a more universal yearning. It is a candid recognition of a shared human characteristic-- the yearning for connection and favorable acknowledgment from others. This sentiment is not practically expert success; it encapsulates individual relationships and social interactions also.

Milius's reflection can be seen as a suggestion of the intrinsic vulnerability in the pursuit of dreams and the natural inclination to seek approval. It speaks with the double nature of aspiration: one that is driven by individual passion and inner conviction, and one that wishes for external recognition. This tension is a considerable driving force in human behavior, pushing individuals to pursue greatness while frequently coming to grips with insecurity and the opinions of others.