"It is the nature of the artist to mind excessively what is said about him. Literature is strewn with the wreckage of men who have minded beyond reason the opinions of others"

This quote by Virginia Woolf speaks to the vulnerability of the artist. It is in the nature of the artist to be conscious criticism and to heed what is said about them. Woolf recommends that this level of sensitivity can be taken too far, causing a kind of psychological wreckage. This is evidenced by the numerous examples of artists throughout literature who have been overwhelmed by the opinions of others. Woolf's quote works as a cautioning to artists to be mindful of their own mental health and to not let the viewpoints of others define them. It is important for artists to remember that their work is a reflection of their own unique vision which criticism need to not be taken too seriously.