CRITICISM Imagine the U.S. political system if citizens were forbidden to criticize public officials as they are in totalitarian regimes. Dictators isolate themselves in enormous power and forbid criticism and freedom of the press. Is this preferable to a free democratic republic? Hardly. Criticism often helps politicians do the right thing. Mignon McLaughlin (1913-83) said, “Most of us would rather be ruined by praise than helped by criticism.” The world’s smiles are more dangerous than its frowns. Leon Leonwood Bean, who founded L.L. Bean stores in 1912, used the formula 25 to 1. He believed there are 25 complaints about us for every one that we hear. Multiply every criticism you hear by about 25. Criticism is a vehicle for self-evaluation and improvement. J. C. Penney wrote a book entitled What an Executive Should Know About Himself. In it he asked: “Can you take criticism?” Then he quoted Chicago department store magnate Marshall Field: Those who enter to buy, support me. Those who come to flatter, please me. Those who complain, teach me how I may please others so that more will come. Only those hurt me who are displeased but do not complain. They refuse me permission to correct my errors and thus improve my service. Penney then underlined the importance of criticism by saying: “Praise is a wonderful ‘pick-me-up,’ but it is only through criticism that we are enabled to know what we have been doing wrong and thereby correct our failures and shortcomings.” Stephen Neill put it more bluntly when he said, “Criticism is the manure in which the Lord’s servants grow best.” We cannot afford to dismiss a criticism without considering it for only a fool does not try to profit when rebuked for a mistake. On the other hand, a minister was constantly harassed by a village wiseacre who knew everything and kept heckling the minister endlessly. The preacher was quiet, unassuming, and remarkably patient. The heckler often challenged statements the minister made in sermons, but by doing so, he displayed conceit, arrogance, and ignorance to the other listeners. One night several members asked the minister why he did not defend himself and put the pest in his place. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, smiled, and explained, “Well, in the little village where I grew up there was a fellow that had a big-mouthed hound. This hound had the habit of going out at night and barking at the moon.” The minister said no more. Finally, a member asked, “Well, what about the hound and the moon?” “Oh,” laughed the minister, “I think if you will look, the moon is still shining.” So, let criticism correct you if necessary, but don’t let it stop you from serving the Lord. –Adapted from an article by Allen Webster