There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing ~ Elbert Hubbard

I have been thinking about how I can avoid some amount of fair or unfair criticism. It seems to me that only if you take risks you invite criticism of any kind; if you don't take risks, the question of criticism doesn't arise. So for instance, people who don't speak up at all or speak very little. You cannot really find fault with what they think or say because they don't express anything. You might even develop a good impression of them based on a few polite or political mutterings. As opposed to that, people who actually make their views known or stand up for something or defend something invite criticism or lay out food for criticism. They may earn admirers for their views but they may also earn brickbats. It is a risk after all to show yourself, reveal yourself, make yourself vulnerable in a sense...

I am not saying people who speak for something must not be criticised just because they take risks. Of course they should! Their views are not entitled to be accepted or validated just for being spoken and that is precisely the risk. But what does one who could do with a little less criticism do? It can be disheartening and soul crushing. Is it possible to learn how to say less, and not feel like you're not being true to yourself? How do you develop the art of it? I don't really know...