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Reader question: Please explain this sentence: “We can take it - and hopefully we can at the same time learn not to take it to heart!” My comments: From context, I infer that “it” (in “We can take it”) refers to criticism, but the linguistic as well as philosophical lesson here for all of us is to “learn not to take it to heart” when other people’s criticism becomes excessive, disparaging and destructive. “At the same time”, you see, suggests that such criticisms are constantly coming, and so “we” should learn to distinguish good criticism from bad. In other words, if it’s good criticism, we should take it. It makes us better. If it’s bad criticism, however, we should learn not to bother. Do not get angry and do not be upset. Just don’t take it to heart. And, of course, it’s up to us to even be able to tell the difference. So, what is constructive criticism? How do you know when it gets destructive? Say someone points out a few spelling mistakes you’ve just made in writing. And they say it in a caring way. “Spelling mistakes,” they further tell you, “are not to be taken lightly. If you don’t eliminate spelling mistakes, readers may draw the conclusion that you’re a sloppy person. And they may want to think the same about your copy. Does that make sense?” It does, of course. That is good criticism. We should learn from it lest we make the same mistakes again. | 
