Quotes for Perfectionists: Perfectionism is a trait that can both help and hinder us. On the positive side, it can motivate us to do our best work and achieve great things. However, taken too far, perfectionism can also lead to excessive self-criticism, procrastination, and burnout. The key is finding a healthy balance—striving for excellence without obsessing over minor flaws. The following 700+ quotes on perfectionism provide wisdom and insight into this complex personality characteristic. They come from a diverse range of historical figures, contemporary thought leaders, authors, athletes, celebrities, and more.
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Quotes for Perfectionists
- “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” – Vince Lombardi
- “Strive for excellence, not perfection.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
- “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor.” – Anne Lamott
- “Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.” – Salvador Dali
- “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution.” – Aristotle
- “Do not confuse excellence with perfection. Excellency we can reach, perfection is God’s business.” – Michael Ignatieff
- “The pursuit of perfection often impedes improvement.” – George Will
- “Perfectionism leads to procrastination, procrastination leads to paralysis, and paralysis leads to politics.” – Anonymous
- “When perfectionism is driving, shame is always riding shotgun.” – Brené Brown
- “Perfection doesn’t exist. Embrace being perfectly imperfect.” – Lori Deschene
- “Excellence is achieved by the mastery of fundamentals.” – Vince Lombardi
- “The secret of joy in work is contained in one word – excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.” – Pearl S. Buck
- “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.” – Henry Ford
- “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” – Vince Lombardi
- “Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly.” – Aristotle
- “If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.” – Leo Tolstoy
- “The perfect is the enemy of the good.” – Voltaire
- “Healthy striving is self-focused: How can I improve? Perfectionism is other-focused: What will they think?” – Brené Brown
- “My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it’s on your plate.” – Thornton Wilder
- “Done is better than perfect.” – Sheryl Sandberg
- “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” – Stephen Covey
- “Excellence encourages brave, world-changing action. Perfectionism keeps you from even starting.” – Seth Godin
- “Do your best, not your bestest.” – Unknown
- “Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.” – Salvador Dalí
- “Excellence is a better teacher than mediocrity. The lessons of the ordinary are everywhere. Truly profound and original insights are to be found only in studying the exemplary.” – Warren G. Bennis
- “Perfectionism is not about healthy achievement and growth.” – Richard Carlson
- “The seed of perfectionism grows in an environment lacking grace.” – Danielle Bernock
- “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden
- “Perfectionists often take too much responsibility for things going wrong even when events are completely out of their control.” – David D. Burns
- “Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.” – Harriet Braiker
- “Perfectionism is not the same thing as excellence. Perfectionism is the belief that if you look perfect and live perfect, you can avoid criticism.” – Denis Waitley
- “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.” – Julia Cameron
- “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” – Confucius
- “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” – Aristotle
- “Do not confuse Excellency with Perfection. Excellency we can reach, perfection is God’s business.” – Michael Ignatieff
- “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle
- “You’ve achieved success in your field when you don’t know whether what you’re doing is work or play.” – Warren Beatty
- “If you are not excelling at your work, you are frittering away your most precious resource – your potential.” – Earl Nightingale
- “Do not confuse excellency with perfection. Excellency we can reach, perfection is God’s business.” – Michael Ignatieff
- “My advice is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it’s on your plate.” – Thornton Wilder
- “The pursuit of perfection is a rocky road with many pitfalls.” – Karen Horney
- “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” – Marilyn Monroe
- “Perfectionism is self-destructive simply because there’s no such thing as perfect.” – Ellen DeGeneres
- “The seed of perfectionism grows in soil fertilized by shame.” – David Benner
- “Perfection does not exist; to understand it is the triumph of human intelligence; to expect to possess it is the most dangerous kind of madness.” – Alfred de Musset
- “Do your best not necessarily to be the best.” – Unknown
- “Perfectionism is a mean, frozen form of idealism, while messes are the artist’s true friend.” – Anne Lamott
- “Perfection is boring. Getting better is where all the fun is.” – Dragos Roua
- “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” – Aristotle
- “Don’t aim for perfection; aim for progress.” – Tim Fargo
- “The perfect project plan is not the one with no problems; it’s the one with no surprises.” – Michael O’Brochta
- “Perfectionism is just fear in a party dress.” – Ann Patchett
- “Healthy striving is self-focused – how can I improve? Perfectionism is other-focused – what will they think?” – Brené Brown
- “Progress, not perfection.” – Unknown
- “Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude.” – Ralph Marston
- “Done is better than perfect.” – American proverb
- “Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it.” – Salvador Dalí
- “Perfection is unattainable, but if you chase perfection you can catch excellence.” – Vince Lombardi
- “Not perfect is perfect for me.” – Unknown
- “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou
- “Progress always involves risks. You can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first.” – Frederick Wilcox
- “Perfectionism breeds tears, blame, and resentment.” – Edmond Mbiaka
- “Have no fear of perfection. You’ll never reach it.” – Salvador Dalí
- “We must believe in progress, not perfection.” – Madeleine Albright
Quotes on the Positive Aspects of Perfectionism
Perfectionists set high standards for themselves and others. They have a strong work ethic and attention to detail that often leads to outstanding results. Though the constant drive for perfection has its downsides, it can also push us to realize our full potential.
- “The secret of joy in work is contained in one word—excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.” – Pearl S. Buck
- “Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it.” – Sir Henry Royce
- ” Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle
- ” Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” – Aristotle
- ” The secret of joy in work is contained in one word – excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.” – Pearl S. Buck
- ” If you are not excelling at your work, you are frittering away your most precious resource – your potential.” – Earl Nightingale
- ” Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.” – Henry Ford
- ” The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” – Vince Lombardi
- ” Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.” – Booker T. Washington
- ” We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle
- ” Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden
Quotes on the Negative Effects of Perfectionism
Though a strong commitment to excellence can be a positive force, perfectionism often goes too far. Unrealistic standards, excessive self-criticism, fear of failure—these and other issues can cause significant distress. It’s important to recognize when perfectionistic tendencies are hurting more than helping.
- “A perfectionist is someone who takes great pains and gives even greater pains to others.” – Ricky Williams
- “Perfectionism is the unparalleled defense for emotionally abandoned children. It becomes their religion.” – Pete Walker
- “Perfection doesn’t exist; you can always do better.” – Jiro Ono
- “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life.” – Anne Lamott
Quotes on Finding Balance as a Perfectionist
Rather than entirely reject their perfectionistic tendencies, some people aim to mitigate the negatives while preserving the positives. It’s about striving for excellence without obsession, and realizing that minor flaws are inevitable on the path to success.
- ” Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly.” – Aristotle
- ” Excellence is a better teacher than mediocrity. The lessons of the ordinary are everywhere. Truly profound and original insights are to be found only in studying the exemplary.” – Warren G. Bennis
- ” Do your best not necessarily to be the best.” – Unknown
- ” Perfectionism is not the same thing as excellence. Perfectionism is the belief that if you look perfect, work perfect, act perfect and live perfect, you can avoid criticism. Excellence is self-fulfilling success.” – Denis Waitley
- ” Do not confuse Excellency with Perfection. Excellency we can reach, perfection is God’s business.” – Michael Ignatieff
- “Excellence encourages world-changing. Perfectionism keeps you from even starting.” – Seth Godin
- ” Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.” – Shaquille O’Neal
- ” The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” – Stephen Covey
- ” Perfection doesn’t exist. Embrace being perfectly imperfect.” – Lori Deschene
Quotes on Overcoming Perfectionism
For some, perfectionistic tendencies are so disruptive that active steps need to be taken to overcome them. This may involve challenging ingrained thought patterns, focusing less on flaws, and learning self-acceptance.
- “Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.” Salvador Dalí
- ” Perfectionism is the unparalleled defense for emotionally abandoned children. It becomes their religion.” – Pete Walker
- ” When perfectionism is driving, shame is always riding shotgun.” – Brené Brown
- ” Perfectionism leads to procrastination, procrastination leads to paralysis, and paralysis leads to politics.” – Anonymous
- ” My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it’s on your plate.” – Thornton Wilder
- ” Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution.” – Aristotle
- ” You’ve achieved success in your field when you don’t know whether what you’re doing is work or play.” – Warren Beatty
- ” Healthy striving is self-focused: How can I improve? Perfectionism is other-focused: What will they think?” – Brené Brown
- ” Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” – Vince Lombardi
- “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence.” – Vince Lombardi
Perfectionism is a complex trait. At times it spurs growth and achievement; at other times it causes paralysis and distress. The key is acknowledging when perfectionistic tendencies are helpful versus harmful in your life. With self-awareness and balance, you can leverage this personality trait to reach your potential without losing your peace of mind. As these quotes illustrate, we must be wary of demanding flawlessness while still pursuing excellence. Rather than seek the impossible state of perfection, we can all aim to do our personal best.