--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: PERFECTION, n. An imaginary state of…" description: "\"PERFECTION, n. An imaginary state of quality distinguished from the actual by an element known as excellence; an attribute of the critic. The editor of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a1/ambrose-bierce-140_agree_perfection-n-an-imaginary-state-of-quali_1801251.jpg" --- # PERFECTION, n. An imaginary state of quality distinguished… ![“PERFECTION, n. An imaginary state of quality distinguished from the actual by an element known as excellence; an attribute of the critic. The editor of an English magazine having received a letter pointing out the erroneous nature of his views and style, and signed "Perfection," promptly wrote at…” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a1/ambrose-bierce-140_agree_perfection-n-an-imaginary-state-of-quali_1801251.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a1/ambrose-bierce-140_agree_perfection-n-an-imaginary-state-of-quali_1801251.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a1/ambrose-bierce-140_agree_perfection-n-an-imaginary-state-of-quali_1801251.jpg) > “PERFECTION, n. An imaginary state of quality distinguished from the actual by an element known as excellence; an attribute of the critic. The editor of an English magazine having received a letter pointing out the erroneous nature of his views and style, and signed "Perfection," promptly wrote at the foot of the letter: "I don't agree with you," and mailed it to Matthew Arnold.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Perfection is an unattainable ideal used by critics to highlight flaws, not a realistic standard. **In simple terms:** Perfection is an impossible ideal. Key Takeaway Accept imperfection and focus on improvement. Themes criticism perfection excellence Mood skeptical ironic Type aphoristic satirical When to use this quote - editing - creative work - personal standards Key Concepts idealism subjectivity literary critique Questions to Reflect On - How does chasing perfection affect your work? - Can you find value in imperfection? A Different Perspective Perfection can stifle progress if taken literally. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agree/) [Attributes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attributes/) [Critics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critics/) [Distinguished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinguished/) [Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/editors/) [Elements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elements/) [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Excellence Attribute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence-attribute-2033260/) [Feet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feet/) [Imaginary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imaginary/) [Known](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/known/) [Letters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letters/) [Magazines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magazines/) [Matthew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matthew/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [Perfection Imaginary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection-imaginary-2033259/) [Pointing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pointing/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Signed Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/signed-perfection-2033261/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Style](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/style/) [Views](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/views/) ## Related quotes > [Perfection is an imaginary state of quality distinguished from the actual by an element known as excellence; an attribute of the critic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/perfection-is-an-imaginary-state-of-quality-distinguished-from-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [PERFECTION, n. An imaginary state of quality distinguished from the actual by an element known as excellence; an attribute of the critic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/perfection-n-an-imaginary-state-of-quality-distinguished-from-the-2/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [The content of the ideal is a desire to return to the perfection of an imaginary past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-huizinga/the-content-of-the-ideal-is-a-desire-to-return-to-the-perfection-of/) [Johan Huizinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-huizinga/) > [MATERIAL, adj. Having an actual existence, as distinguished from an imaginary one. Important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/material-adj-having-an-actual-existence-as-distinguished-from-an/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Conservative, n: A statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from the Liberal who wishes to replace them with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/conservative-n-a-statesman-who-is-enamored-of-existing-evils-as/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Molecule, n.: The ultimate, indivisible unit of matter. It is distinguished from the corpuscle, also the ultimate, indivisible unit of matter, by a closer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/molecule-n-the-ultimate-indivisible-unit-of-matter-it-is/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [NOUMENON, n. That which exists, as distinguished from that which merely seems to exist, the latter being a phenomenon. The noumenon is a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/noumenon-n-that-which-exists-as-distinguished-from-that-which-merely/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HARMONISTS, n. A sect of Protestants, now extinct, who came from Europe in the beginning of the last century and were distinguished for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/harmonists-n-a-sect-of-protestants-now-extinct-who-came-from-europe/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Women and foxes, being weak, are distinguished by superior tact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/women-and-foxes-being-weak-are-distinguished-by-superior-tact/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [MYTHOLOGY, n. The body of a primitive people's beliefs concerning its origin, early history, heroes, deities and so forth, as distinguished from the true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/mythology-n-the-body-of-a-primitive-people-s-beliefs-concerning-its/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [PLEBEIAN, n. An ancient Roman who in the blood of his country stained nothing but his hands. Distinguished from the Patrician, who was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/plebeian-n-an-ancient-roman-who-in-the-blood-of-his-country-stained/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [POVERTY, n. A file provided for the teeth of the rats of reform. Its victims are distinguished by possession of all the virtues and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/poverty-n-a-file-provided-for-the-teeth-of-the-rats-of-reform-its/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [The reason why Matthew Arnold, to my feeling, fails entirely as a poet (though no doubt his ideas were good - at least, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-sitwell/the-reason-why-matthew-arnold-to-my-feeling-fails-entirely-as-a-poet/) [Edith Sitwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-sitwell/) > [The archives recall not one single incriminating incident, not one drunken escapade, not one reported affair, not one spat with a team-mate or reporter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-atherton/the-archives-recall-not-one-single-incriminating-incident-not-one/) [Michael Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-atherton/) > [At some point during almost every romantic comedy, the female lead suddenly trips and falls, stumbling helplessly over something ridiculous like a leaf, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-handler/at-some-point-during-almost-every-romantic-comedy-the-female-lead/) [Chelsea Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-handler/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Agree quotes > [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/) [Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/) > [“All these creatures spend their time explaining, realizing happily that they agree with each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-sartre/all-these-creatures-spend-their-time-explaining-realizing-happily/) [Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-sartre/) > [I talk to fashion designers and say I want some money to save the rainforest, and they say, 'Oh, I agree with you completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivienne-westwood/i-talk-to-fashion-designers-and-say-i-want-some-money-to-save-the/) [Vivienne Westwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivienne-westwood/) > [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Climate change poses clear, catastrophic threats. We may not agree on the extent, but we certainly can't afford the risk of inaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/climate-change-poses-clear-catastrophic-threats-we-may-not-agree-on/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [Never be afraid of doing the thing you know in your heart is right, even if others don't agree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/never-be-afraid-of-doing-the-thing-you-know-in-your-heart-is-right/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [It's fine to talk about politics with people you agree with. But it is rude to argue about politics with people you disagree with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/it-s-fine-to-talk-about-politics-with-people-you-agree-with-but-it-is/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [ I will not agree to have this bill \[to repeal DADT \] go forward, because our economy is in the tank. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-will-not-agree-to-have-this-bill-to-repeal-dadt-go-forward-because/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [“I tend to agree with that little devil more and more these days.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elle-casey/i-tend-to-agree-with-that-little-devil-more-and-more-these-days/) [Elle Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elle-casey/) > [People might not agree with me, but I think a woman should have a feminine shape, something you can get your hands on. You,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ruiz-zafon/people-might-not-agree-with-me-but-i-think-a-woman-should-have-a/) [Carlos Ruiz Zafon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ruiz-zafon/) > [On 9-11, we discovered that we cannot escape from the world. To me personally, this was a life-changing experience, and I realized, as did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/on-9-11-we-discovered-that-we-cannot-escape-from-the-world-to-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [But I would say if the Security Council is only relevant if it agrees with the United States, then we have come a long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-blix/but-i-would-say-if-the-security-council-is-only-relevant-if-it-agrees/) [Hans Blix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-blix/) > [We're never all going to agree with each other. We have to learn to value the diversity. It's one of the presumable principles of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-r-ehrlich/we-re-never-all-going-to-agree-with-each-other-we-have-to-learn-to/) [Paul R. Ehrlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-r-ehrlich/) > [A contract is an ask game, and if it asks for an hour, and I submit to an hour, then it's an hour. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-berry/a-contract-is-an-ask-game-and-if-it-asks-for-an-hour-and-i-submit-to/) [Chuck Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-berry/) [Browse all 3,079 Agree quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agree/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "PERFECTION, n. An imaginary state of quality distinguished from the actual by an element known as excellence; an attribute of the critic. 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