Bill Clinton: “How do I deal with criticism? Better on some days than others. [Laughter] I think the important thing about criticism is…”

“How do I deal with criticism? Better on some days than others. [Laughter] I think the important thing about criticism is to try to take it very seriously; that is, can we learn from criticism? Benjamin Franklin, one of our Founding Fathers, said, ``Our critics are our friends for they show us our faults.'' And since no one is perfect, your critics can help you learn to do better. But it's important not to take criticism personally. That is, a lot of times people try to hurt you personally, and you can't let that happen. So if someone criticizes you, ask yourself, ``Is it true what they're saying?'' And if it's true, then say, ``Well, I'm going to try to improve. I'm going to try to do better.'' Don't let anybody put you down as a person. Too much criticism today is designed to hurt people personally and to hurt them in the eyes of other people. That's wrong. But criticism itself can be very good. Hillary Clinton. That's a good question, because I would bet that as all of you who are on the student council and are ambassadors make decisions, you will get some criticism. You'll have friends who will say, ``Why did you do that?'' or ``I don't like you anymore,'' or ``I don't agree with that.'' So that was a very good question to ask. Of course, the best way to handle criticism is to remember the Golden Rule. You all remember the Golden Rule? Students. Yes. Hillary Clinton. From church and Sunday school? If you can treat other people the way you want to be treated, then you can learn from criticism but not get pulled down by it, not be upset by it.”