Brooke Foss Westcott (1825–1901) and Fenton J. A. Hort (1828–1892) published an edition of the New Testament in Greek in 1881. They proposed nine critical rules, including a version of Bengel's rule, "The reading is less likely to be original that shows a disposition to smooth away difficulties." They also argued that "Readings are approved or rejected by reason of the quality, and not the number, of their supporting witnesses", and that "<answer>The reading is to be preferred that most fitly explains the existence of the others.</answer>"
What is the criteria needed to include or dismiss a reading when critiquing texts?
The reading is to be preferred that most fitly explains the existence of the others.