“Perfectionism quotes? Why would I need that?” – said every perfectionist ever. Even I, myself, a constantly exhausted perfectionist have thought that something as simple as a quote is not good enough to have an impact on my brain. I’m constantly chasing the “best”.

Yet here I am, writing this imperfect article, after reading a ton of perfectionism quotes and feeling… Better.

Sometimes we’re so focused and striving to be perfect, act perfect, look perfect, work perfectly, and so on – that we simply shy away from things that are here and now. Things that could help us. Things that could inspire us to move forward, instead of focusing on a few imperfect edges. By turning to the present, we could get rid of the fear of disappointing others, the gloomy fear of failure, and even the fear of success – the things that actually make perfectionism so unhealthy.

Do you feel the need to let go of your perfectionist mindset, and the constant need to be a perfect person or have a perfect life? Would you like to be able to advance in your life with calm, peace, and content in your heart? You can. And things don’t have to be perfect for that.

In this article, I want to share this little collection of inspiring perfectionism quotes that can help you to stop craving for perfection, accept yourself, and achieve beautiful things through the process, not perfection. Because perfection is impossible. Perfectionism eventually stops you from achieving your goals. And the moment we have now is the most perfect moment there is.

Trying to see and feel it, of course, is a learning curve. Pursuit of perfection is not easy to get rid of – even though, in essence, each of us is an imperfect person… Here’s what famous writers, philosophers, and other beautiful people have to say about it.

 

50 Perfectionism Quotes: Let Go Of The Need To Be Perfect!

 

1. Perfectionism Quotes About Letting Go Of Perfection

 

“In order to go on living, one must try to escape the death involved in perfectionism.” – Hannah Arendt

“True perfection is a bold quest to seek. Only the willing and true of heart will seek the betterment of many.” – Socrates

“Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.” – Salvador Dali

“Even perfection has room for improvement.” – Ty Warner

“Learning to give up on perfection may be just about the most romantic move any of us could make.” – Alain de Botton

“This is life and imperfection is beautiful and don’t be afraid of that.” – Dylan O’Brien

“No one has a perfect life. Everybody has something that he wishes was not the way it is.” – Stan Lee

“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”

“Problems have perfected us.” – Aniekee Tochukwu Ezekiel

“The true perfection of man lies not in what man has, but in what man is.” – Oscar Wilde

“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

“No person is completely wicked, just as no person is perfect. We are all grey.” ― Sweety Shinde

 

2. Perfectionism Quotes About Focusing On The Process Instead Of Perfection

 

“Strive for continuous improvement, instead of perfection.” -Kim Collins

“However, don’t let perfectionism become an excuse for never getting started.” -Marilu Henner

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” – Vince Lombardi

“If I waited for perfection… I would never write a word.” Margaret Atwood

“A good plan swiftly done now is better than a perfect plan done next week.”

“People call these things imperfections, but they’re not, that’s the good stuff. And then we get to choose who we let into our weird little worlds.” – Good Will Hunting

“Perfect should never be a goal. Perfect just happens if you let it.” – Wendy Wunder

“Perfection is not just about control. It’s also about letting go. Surprise yourself so you can surprise the audience.” – Thomas Leroy

“Slow down. Calm down. Don’t worry. Don’t hurry. Trust the process.” – Alexandra Stoddard

“I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for. Perfection is God’s business.” – Michael J. Fox

“Even when we strive for perfection, life is nothing more than an attempt to achieve it through a series of greater or smaller imperfections.” – Peter Prange in “The Philosopher’s Kiss”

“Practice does not make perfect. Imperfect makes us practice.” – Mokokoma Mokhonoana

 

3. Perfectionism Quotes About Accepting Your Imperfections

 

“It’s not about perfection. What’s a perfect painting? What’s interesting about a perfect painting?” – Peter Doig

“Nobody on this earth is perfect. Everybody has their flaws. Everybody has their dark secrets and vices.” – Juice Wrld

“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

“My teacher once told me: No one is perfect and it is why pencils have erasers.” – Mahesh Bhatt

“Nobody was perfect. Not even close. And everybody had wrinkles from smiling and squinting and craning their necks. Everybody has marks on their bodies from years of living- a trail of life left on them. Evidence of all the adventures and sleepless nights, and practical jokes, and heartbreaks that had made them who they are.” – Katherine Center

“I don’t have to be perfect. All I have to do is show up and enjoy the messy, imperfect, and beautiful journey of my life.” – Kerry Washington

“I’d rather live my life knowing that I’m not perfect than spending my whole life pretending to be.” – Will Smith

“I’m not perfect, … But I’m enough.” – Harold S. Kushner

“Everything that looks too perfect is too perfect to be perfect.” – Dejan Stojanovic

“I’m not perfect. But I’ll always be real.” – Tupac Shakur

“Being thin created intense anxiety that I wouldn’t be able to maintain that weight for life – and I couldn’t.” Jenni Schaefer

“Nobody’s perfect. We’re all just one step up from the beasts and one step down from the angels.” – Jeannette Walls, Half Broke Horses

“Things that are too perfect for us don’t attract us. They are like a slippery floor having no friction at all. We desire some friction… Some flaws… Something to work upon.” ― Shunya

“I am glad that I am not perfect – I would be bored to death!” – Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy

“You don’t have to be perfect to be pretty.” – Carson Kressley

 

4. Perfectionism Quotes About The Dangers Of Chasing Perfection

 

“Perfectionism becomes a badge of honor with you playing the part of the suffering hero.” – David D. Burns

“The artist who aims at perfection in everything achieves it in nothing.” – Eugene Delacroix

“Good enough is good enough. Perfect will make you a big fat mess every time.” – Rebecca Wells

“Perfectionism rarely begets perfection, or satisfaction – only disappointment.” – Ryan Holiday

“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

“Perfectionism doesn’t make you feel perfect. It makes you feel inadequate.” – Maria Shriver

“Perfectionism spells paralysis.” – Winston Churchill

“Perfectionism is a self-destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame.” – Brené Brown

“You can waste a perfectly good life trying to meet the standards of someone who thinks you’re not good enough because they can’t understand who you are.” – Barbara Sher

“When things are perfect, that’s when you need to worry most.” – Drew Barrymore

“If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.” – Leo Tolstoy in “Anna Karenina”

 

Do You See The Pattern In All Of These Perfectionism Quotes?

 

All of them agree that perfection either doesn’t exist or is completely boring! And indeed, neither our life, nor us will ever be perfect, and that’s a good thing. Let’s first try to enjoy ourselves and our own imperfections. Let’s take on life’s challenges like Bilbo Baggins took on his quest. Let’s adore our imperfect bodies because they are and will always be imperfectly perfect. Let’s chase our dreams by getting inspired by the process, not just little details that don’t really matter that much. This is how our desirable results come. How they shine in their imperfect glory. And how life becomes a whole lot better.

Like these perfectionism quotes? Scroll down for more helpful content!