On criticism...........................

Don't be afraid of verbal abuse or criticism.
     Only the morally weak feel compelled to defend or explain themselves to others.  Let the quality of your deeds speak on your behalf.  We can't control the impressions others form about us, and the effort to do so only debases our character.
     So, if anyone should tell you that a particular person has spoken critically of you, don't bother with excuses or defenses.  Just smile and reply, "I guess that person doesn't really know about all my other faults.  Otherwise he wouldn't have mentioned only these."

-Epictetus,  A Manual For Living