Praise or blame has but a momentary effect on the man whose love of beauty in the abstract makes him a severe critic on his own works.

Summary

This quote suggests that someone who deeply appreciates beauty, in a general sense, will be a harsh judge of their own creative endeavors. The praise or criticism they receive from others will only have a fleeting impact on them because their intrinsic desire for perfection and aesthetic value drives them to be their own toughest critic. Their personal understanding and pursuit of beauty override external opinions, making their own assessment more valuable than external validation.

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