"Of course, it’s not every critic that notices lines that aren’t tuneful, and Roman poets have enjoyed undeserved license. But does that entitle me to make mistakes and scribble away carelessly? Or should I rather expect everyone to see my mistakes, and so play safe and cautious, keeping within the bounds of what I can hope to be pardoned for? In that case, all I’ve done is avoid blame; I have not deserved praise."

Horace, Ars Poetica