I’ve rounded up the best quotes about perfection, perfection sayings, proverbs, and captions, (with images and pictures) to inspire excellence and be the best version of yourself.
What Is Perfectionism?
Perfectionism is the drive to attain flawlessness and complete excellence in all aspects of life. While striving for excellence is a positive attribute, perfectionism can become problematic when it becomes an excessive and unrealistic expectation.
It can lead to a never-ending cycle of self-criticism and disappointment, causing individuals to feel overwhelmed and stressed.
This personality trait can also lead to procrastination and a fear of failure, which can prevent people from pursuing their goals and achieving their full potential.
Nobody is perfect in this world but we are perfect in our own imperfections. A lot of us strive for perfection and not for progress.
But it should be the other way around. We should always try to grow and change for the better and perfection will follow.
These meaningful perfection quotes offer insight into the dangers of perfectionism and provide guidance on how to overcome its negative effects.
And some of the most famous perfectionism quotes emphasize the importance of embracing imperfection, accepting failures, and focusing on progress rather than perfection.
Top 10 Quotes About Perfection
- “Perfect is the enemy of good.” — Voltaire
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“Perfection is a roadblock to progress.” — Unknown
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“Perfectionism is the art of never being satisfied.” — Unknown
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“Perfectionism is the most paralyzing form of self-abuse.” — Unknown
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“Perfectionism is self-abuse of the highest order.” — Anne Wilson Schaef
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“Perfectionism is a disease. Procrastination is a disease. Action is the cure.” — Richie Norton
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“Perfectionism is a delusion that can rob one of a very successful, enriching life if not careful.” — April Bryan
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“The most valuable thing you can make is a mistake. You can’t learn anything from being perfect.” — Adam Osbourne
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“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you insane your whole life.” — Anne Lamott
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“Perfectionism means that you try not to leave so much mess to clean up. But clutter and mess show us that life is being lived.” — Anne Lamott
Best Perfectionism Quotes To Embrace Imperfections
- “Have the courage to be imperfect.” — Alfred Adler
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“I was born to make mistakes. Not fake perfection.” — Drake
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“The more you let go, the higher you rise.” — Yasmin Mogahed
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“Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.” — Salvador Dali
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“There is no perfection, only beautiful versions of brokenness.” — Shannon L. Alder
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“We need to make messes in order to find out who we are and why we are here.” — Anne Lamott
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“In order to go on living, one must try to escape the death involved in perfectionism.” – Hannah Arendt
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“Those who have a strong sense of love and belonging have the courage to be imperfect.” — Brené Brown
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“True perfection is a bold quest to seek. Only the willing and true of heart will seek the betterment of many.” – Socrates
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“Learning to give up on perfection may be just about the most romantic move any of us could make.” – Alain de Botton
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“If you’re not making some notable mistakes along the way, you’re certainly not taking enough business and career chances.” — Sallie Krawcheck
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“It’s ok to: Not get it right for the first time. Be imperfect. Learn from trial and error. Not get everything done every time. Take a break if needed.” — Unknown
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“Perfection of character is this: to live each day as if it were your last, without frenzy, without apathy, without pretense.” – Marcus Aurelius in “Meditations”
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“Don’t worry about not doing “it” perfectly right now. It’s ok, just keep at it, you will soon settle in it, and then you’ll be glad you didn’t give up.” — Temitope Ibrahim
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“Perfection’ is man’s ultimate illusion. It simply doesn’t exist in the universe. If you are a perfectionist, you are guaranteed to be a loser in whatever you do.” – David D. Burns
Perfection Quotes To Inspire Excellence
- “Perfect is good but done is better.” — Jane Hamill
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“Excellence does not require perfection.” — Henry James
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“Excellency is a value. Perfectionism is insecurity.” — Unknown
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“Strive for continuous improvement, instead of perfection.” — Kim Collins
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“Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for ‘better than yesterday.” — Izey Victoria Odiase
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“When things are perfect, that’s when you need to worry most.” — Drew Barrymore
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“However, don’t let perfectionism become an excuse for never getting started.” — Marilu Henner
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“Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.” — Harriet Braiker
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“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” — Vince Lombardi
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“I’d rather live my life knowing that I’m not perfect than spending my whole life pretending to be.” – Will Smith
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“You were born to be real, not to be perfect. You are here to be you, not to live someone else’s life.” – Ralph Marston
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“Perfectionism is not as much the desire for excellence, as it is the fear of failure couched in procrastination.” — Dan Miller
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“Healthy striving is self-focused: “How can I improve?” Perfectionism is other-focused: “What will they think?” — Brené Brown
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“I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for. Perfection is God’s business.” – Michael J. Fox
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“But no perfection is so absolute. That some impurity doth not pollute.” ― William Shakespeare
Inspiring Quotes To Overcome Perfectionism
- “Done is better than perfect.” — Sheryl Sandberg
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“Perfection is the enemy of progress.” — Winston Churchill
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“Sometimes good enough IS just perfect.” — Cristina Morero
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“Let go of who you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are.” — Brené Brown
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“Good enough is good enough . Perfect will make you a big fat mess every time.” — Rebecca Wells
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“Perfectionism measures our beginner’s work against the finished work of masters.” — Julia Cameron
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“If you wait for things to be perfect, you walk away with nothing. Just jump in and get started.” — Jennifer Ritchie
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“You’ve been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” — Louise Hay
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“Robots don’t rest, don’t make mistakes, don’t need to deal with emotions. You are not a robot. Stop treating yourself like one.” — Unknown
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“Life isn’t meant to be lived perfectly…but merely to be LIVED. Boldly, wildly, beautifully, uncertainly, imperfectly, magically LIVED.” — Mandy Hale
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“At its root, perfectionism isn’t really about a deep love of being meticulous. It’s about fear – fear of making a mistake. Fear of disappointing others. Fear of failure.” — Michael Law
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“Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves, the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough – that we should try again.” — Julia Cameron
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“There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself, comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty.” — Steve Maraboli
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“You are not a mistake. You are not a problem to be solved. But you won’t discover this until you are willing to stop banging your head against the wall of shaming and caging and fearing yourself.” — Geneen Roth
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“Perfectionism is a twenty-ton shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us when in fact, it’s the thing that’s really preventing us from taking flight. If we want to overcome perfectionism, we need to let go of the heavy weight that holds us down.” — Unknown
Perfectly Imperfect Quotes
By embracing the imperfections in life, we can find peace and happiness and live more fulfilling lives.
So if you are feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of perfectionism, take a moment to reflect on these quotes and remember that it is not about being perfect, but about being the best version of yourself that you can be.
- “Focus on progress, not perfection.” — Bill Phillips
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“Perfection is not a standard. It’s an obstacle.” — Unknown
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“Embrace the glorious mess that you are.” — Elizabeth Gilbert
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“Personal growth is about progress, not perfection.” — Hal Elrod
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“Whether you think you can or you can’t, you are right.” — Henry Ford
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“Everything is perfect and there is always room for improvement.” — Shunryu Suzuki
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“Progress, not perfection, is what we should be asking of ourselves.” — Julia Cameron
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“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” — Albert Einstein
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“Imperfection is beautiful; madness is genius, and silly is better than boring.” — Unknown
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“You are imperfect, permanently, and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.” — Amy Bloom
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“Too many people spend too much time trying to perfect something before they actually do it.” — Paul Arden
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“Don’t strive for perfection, but purrfection. You know, like cats. Just do you and that’ll do.” — Cristina Morero
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“A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault.” — John Henry Newman
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“Progress not perfection… you can’t be perfect everything… but you can gain progress on a daily basis.” — Court McGee
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“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, you’re doing something.” — Neil Gaiman
Perfectionist Quotes To Reach Your Goals
Whether you struggle with perfectionism yourself or know someone who does, these quotes can offer comfort and inspiration for progress.
They can serve as reminders that it is okay to be imperfect and that the pursuit of perfection is a journey, not a destination.
- “The goal is progress, not perfection!” — Kathy Freston
- “Perfection kills progress and productivity.” — T.J
- “Perfection is just an illusion.” — T.J
- “Perfectionism is just a myth.” — T.J
- “In perfectionism, I find beauty.” — T.J
- “In the quest of being perfect, you lose all the fun and enjoyment.” — T.J
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“Imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.” — Harry Truman
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“Give yourself credit for all of your efforts, no matter how perfect or flawed.” — Unknown
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“The greatest opportunity you have for growth lies within your allowance of mistakes.” — Unknown
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“People call me a perfectionist, but I’m not. I’m a rightist. I do something until it’s right, and then I move on to the next thing.” — James Cameron
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“The whole you deserves to be seen, not just your idealized version of self. Embracing your whole self is the key to overcoming perfectionism.” — Unknown
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“The game of life is made up. It’s written entirely by you. Create the rules that bring you joy and allow you to contribute at the highest level.” — Unknown
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“Perfectionism is a twenty-ton shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us when, in fact, it’s the thing that’s really preventing us from taking flight.” — Brené Brown
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“If you want to experience greater clarity, alignment, and flow in your life, match your subconscious beliefs and perceptions with your conscious goals and desires.” — Unknown
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“I will be patient with myself as I develop into the person I am meant to be. Being perfect is not the goal. Continuing to grow in a positive direction is the goal.” — Unknown
Perfectionism: Good Or Bad
Perfectionism is a personality trait characterized by high standards, rigid expectations, and specific ideas about how to achieve a desired outcome.
It can have both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, it can drive individuals to strive for excellence and lead to high-quality work.
And on the negative side, perfectionism can cause unnecessary stress, and anxiety, lead to procrastination and self-criticism, and prevent individuals from taking risks or completing tasks.
It is important to strive for excellence, but also to recognize that perfection is not always achievable, and to find a healthy balance between high standards and self-compassion.
Conclusion
Don’t forget to read our collection of Making Mistake Quotes and I‘m not perfect quotes to inspire you to embrace your uniqueness and overcome perfection.
Feel free to share with friends and family on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, and more to spread positive vibes about success, hard work, and persistence.
