Laudator Temporis Acti

Basil L. Gildersleeve, "Friedrich Ritschl," American Journal of Philology 5.3 (1884) 339-355 (at 349-350):

Some of the aphorisms, mere memoranda that have been found among his early papers, show that the young critic had clear notions of his work. So he exacts "preliminary knowledge," he would not have the student rush into textual criticism without training in language, without full acquaintance with the theme. "The opinions of the predecessors must be known." Hundreds of emendations are put forward anew, and that not by mean men and ignorant novices, but by the lights of our profession: not from wilful dishonesty, but simply in a spirit of vanity and laziness. "No prejudices." "Fix clearly in your eye what you are after." "Don't be satisfied with half notions, squinting thoughts. Penetrate into the heart of the matter with your interpretation." "Don't glide over what you don't understand." "Don't admit to yourself that there is more than one right." "Distinguish sharply between the possible and the impossible." "Cultivate the feeling of truth." (Bentley being the model held up.) "Never grow weary in trying to find ways." "Don't try to explain everything." "Don't go into criticism until you exhaust hermeneutics." "Hold the mean between audacity and timidity."

All self-evident, you say, but none the less necessary. These rules are violated at every turn to-day.