When someone cannot accept criticism, it is really because they are too full of themselves to understand humility.
Even the greatest individuals are insulted, the most powerful companies are picked apart, and the most developed countries are criticized. Why, then, should ordinary people like us find criticism so hard to accept? Isn’t it, at heart, our own arrogance—the belief that we are perfect and ought to be above criticism? As we become more humble, we begin to see criticism in a more positive light. We recognize it as a bucket of cold water over the head, bringing us back to our senses and reminding us: you are only human, like everyone else. Don’t let yourself become arrogant.
Negative feedback can sometimes be more valuable than praise. Too much praise can inflate our egos and make us more likely to make mistakes. The higher we climb, the harder we fall.
The more we care about what people say in our favor, the more we will care about what they say against us. We need to keep a clear, rational head and remember that kind words can sometimes be false, while harsh words can sometimes do us good.
要政阳
September 14, 2026, Beijing