"Never trust the artist. Trust the tale. The proper function of the critic is to save the tale from the artist who created it"

This quote by David Herbert Lawrence suggests that the artist ought to not be relied on, however rather the tale they develop ought to be relied on. He is suggesting that the critic's function is to protect the tale from the artist, who might be lured to alter it in some method. This could be translated as a warning to be wary of the artist's intents, and to be sure to look at the tale objectively. Lawrence is suggesting that the critic needs to be the one to identify the worth of the tale, rather than the artist. He is stressing the importance of the tale itself, and the requirement to maintain its stability. This quote could be seen as a tip to be mindful of the artist's motivations and to be sure to take a look at the tale objectively.