Who said “There are two modes of criticism. One which crushes to earth without mercy all the…”?

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Margaret Fuller. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"Poets of the People" in Art, Literature and the Drama (1858)

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“There are two modes of criticism. One which crushes to earth without mercy all the humble buds of Phantasy, all the plants that, though green and fruitful, are also a prey to insects or have suffered by drought. It weeds well the garden, and cannot believe the weed in its native soil may be a pretty, graceful plant. There is another mode which enters into the natural history of every thing that breathes and lives, which believes no impulse to be entirely in vain, which scrutinizes circumstances, motive and object before it condemns, and believes there is a beauty in natural form, if its law and purpose be understood.”
Verified"Poets of the People" in Art, Literature and the Drama (1858) · evidenceCritics and Criticism

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For academic work, cite the original where you can: "Poets of the People" in Art, Literature and the Drama (1858).

APA

Fuller, M. (n.d.). There are two modes of criticism. One which crushes to earth without mercy all the humble buds of Phantasy, all the plants that, though green and fruitful, are also a prey to insects or have suffered by drought. It weeds well the garden, and cannot believe the weed in its native soil may be a pretty, graceful plant. There is another mode which enters into the natural history of every thing that breathes and lives, which believes no impulse to be entirely in vain, which scrutinizes circumstances, motive and object before it condemns, and believes there is a beauty in natural form, if its law and purpose be understood. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12220-there-are-two-modes-of-criticism-one-which/

MLA

Fuller, Margaret. “There are two modes of criticism. One which crushes to earth without mercy all the humble buds of Phantasy, all the plants that, though green and fruitful, are also a prey to insects or have suffered by drought. It weeds well the garden, and cannot believe the weed in its native soil may be a pretty, graceful plant. There is another mode which enters into the natural history of every thing that breathes and lives, which believes no impulse to be entirely in vain, which scrutinizes circumstances, motive and object before it condemns, and believes there is a beauty in natural form, if its law and purpose be understood.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12220-there-are-two-modes-of-criticism-one-which/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Fuller, Margaret. “There are two modes of criticism. One which crushes to earth without mercy all the humble buds of Phantasy, all the plants that, though green and fruitful, are also a prey to insects or have suffered by drought. It weeds well the garden, and cannot believe the weed in its native soil may be a pretty, graceful plant. There is another mode which enters into the natural history of every thing that breathes and lives, which believes no impulse to be entirely in vain, which scrutinizes circumstances, motive and object before it condemns, and believes there is a beauty in natural form, if its law and purpose be understood.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12220-there-are-two-modes-of-criticism-one-which/.