--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Perfection is never achieved, so you need…" description: "\"Perfection is never achieved, so you need to go on working.\" — Azzedine Alaia" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/azzedine-alaia-10234_excellence_perfection-is-never-achieved-so-you-need_1071624.png" --- # Perfection is never achieved, so you need to go on working. ![“Perfection is never achieved, so you need to go on working.” quote by Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/azzedine-alaia-10234_excellence_perfection-is-never-achieved-so-you-need_1071624.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/azzedine-alaia-10234_excellence_perfection-is-never-achieved-so-you-need_1071624.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/azzedine-alaia-10234_excellence_perfection-is-never-achieved-so-you-need_1071624.png) > “Perfection is never achieved, so you need to go on working.” [Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) ## 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 unattainable, so continuous effort is essential. **In simple terms:** Perfection never arrives, keep working. Key Takeaway Embrace ongoing improvement. Themes growth work perfection Mood determined reflective Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career development - creative projects - skill mastery - personal goals Key Concepts self‑discipline process orientation Questions to Reflect On - How do you measure progress without a perfect benchmark? - What motivates you to keep improving? A Different Perspective Never‑perfect work may still be valuable; perfectionism can stall progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Achieved Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achieved-need-2673518/) [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Goes on](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goes-on/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Need Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-working-599580/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [Perfection Achieved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection-achieved-2673519/) [Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working/) ## Related quotes > [To achieve goals you've never achieved before, you need to start doing things you've never done before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-achieve-goals-you-ve-never-achieved-before-you-need-to-start-doing/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/perfection-is-achieved-not-when-there-is-nothing-left-to-add-but-when/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Perfection is only achieved when there is nothing more that can be taken away rather then when there are things that can be added”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry-2/perfection-is-only-achieved-when-there-is-nothing-more-that-can-be/) [Antoine De Saint Exupery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry-2/) > [“Perfection is achieved, not when there's nothing much more to add, but when there's nothing left to remove." -    Antoine de Saint-Exupe”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-fringe/perfection-is-achieved-not-when-there-s-nothing-much-more-to-add-but/) [Nicholas Fringe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-fringe/) > [“Absolute perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing to add, but nothing to take away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/absolute-perfection-is-achieved-not-when-there-is-nothing-to-add-but/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupéry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [It's not that perfection cannot be achieved. It's that it's so hard to stop there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/it-s-not-that-perfection-cannot-be-achieved-it-s-that-it-s-so-hard-to/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [We cannot accomplish all that we need to do without working together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-richardson/we-cannot-accomplish-all-that-we-need-to-do-without-working-together/) [Bill Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-richardson/) > [We need to keep working very hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-leclerc/we-need-to-keep-working-very-hard/) [Charles Leclerc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-leclerc/) > [I go crazy if I'm not working. I find it harder to have down time. I don't know what to do with myself. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-monaghan/i-go-crazy-if-i-m-not-working-i-find-it-harder-to-have-down-time-i/) [Cameron Monaghan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-monaghan/) > [I need to be working with the art world in N.Y.C. as much as I need to be working in my studios in Chicago…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-grabner/i-need-to-be-working-with-the-art-world-in-n-y-c-as-much-as-i-need-to/) [Michelle Grabner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-grabner/) > [We need to keep working and I am pretty sure the results will come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-leclerc/we-need-to-keep-working-and-i-am-pretty-sure-the-results-will-come/) [Charles Leclerc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-leclerc/) > [One guy being off is going to hurt you. So you need everyone working together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-thibodeau/one-guy-being-off-is-going-to-hurt-you-so-you-need-everyone-working/) [Tom Thibodeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-thibodeau/) > [I need to keep working. I can't sit at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esha-deol/i-need-to-keep-working-i-can-t-sit-at-home/) [Esha Deol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esha-deol/) > [I need to keep working on myself for a while.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eminem/i-need-to-keep-working-on-myself-for-a-while/) [Eminem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eminem/) > [There's no real outlet for making Hip-Hop in Alabama. You need to travel to get heard. You really need to be working though. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yelawolf/there-s-no-real-outlet-for-making-hip-hop-in-alabama-you-need-to/) [Yelawolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yelawolf/) ## More by Azzedine Alaia > [I'm always telling young designers to take the time to surround themselves with women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/i-m-always-telling-young-designers-to-take-the-time-to-surround/) [Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) > [As for success, I don't care for it. It is a fragile thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/as-for-success-i-don-t-care-for-it-it-is-a-fragile-thing/) [Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) > [When I was growing up, I never heard the word 'racism.' It was only in Paris I encountered that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/when-i-was-growing-up-i-never-heard-the-word-racism-it-was-only-in/) [Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) > [I've been wearing Chinese clothes since I was 14. I can't wear a suit. I'm small, and when I put on a suit, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/i-ve-been-wearing-chinese-clothes-since-i-was-14-i-can-t-wear-a-suit/) [Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) > [I'm happier about my friends than I am about my work. I still have a long way to go with work. My friends, that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/i-m-happier-about-my-friends-than-i-am-about-my-work-i-still-have-a/) [Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) > [I would rather die than see my face in a car advertisement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/i-would-rather-die-than-see-my-face-in-a-car-advertisement/) [Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) > [There is a sensuality about fabric. I think all materials should be inviting when they touch the skin. When I watch children stroking their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/there-is-a-sensuality-about-fabric-i-think-all-materials-should-be/) [Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) > [If you're sad about what you see in the mirror when you wake up every morning, you must change it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/if-you-re-sad-about-what-you-see-in-the-mirror-when-you-wake-up-every/) [Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) > [Even if I was in prison, I could be free in my head. I can adapt easily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/even-if-i-was-in-prison-i-could-be-free-in-my-head-i-can-adapt-easily/) [Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) > [I think women should be seductive, not triste. There's enough sadness in life now without making women look sad, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/i-think-women-should-be-seductive-not-triste-there-s-enough-sadness/) [Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) > [I want to speak directly with a star, not her stylist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/i-want-to-speak-directly-with-a-star-not-her-stylist/) [Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) > [As a child, I was raised with my grandmother, alongside all my cousins, and the kitchen was always full.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/as-a-child-i-was-raised-with-my-grandmother-alongside-all-my-cousins/) [Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) > [I put myself on the same level as everyone else around me - from the directrice to the workman, everyone. Except my pets -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/i-put-myself-on-the-same-level-as-everyone-else-around-me-from-the/) [Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) > [I have total confidence in Beaute Prestige International to accompany me in creating a perfume that interprets my work and my world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/i-have-total-confidence-in-beaute-prestige-international-to-accompany/) [Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) > [I take it to heart that, for example, there aren't enough funds for AIDS research, but people pay 20 times the value of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/i-take-it-to-heart-that-for-example-there-aren-t-enough-funds-for/) [Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) [Explore all 67 Azzedine Alaia quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) ## More Excellence quotes > [Imperfections are what make you perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-tell/imperfections-are-what-make-you-perfect/) [Nia Tellé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-tell/) > [The pursuit of perfection is frustrating and a waste of time, because nothing is ever perfect. The pursuit of excellence is commendable and worthwhile.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-kulwicki/the-pursuit-of-perfection-is-frustrating-and-a-waste-of-time-because/) [Alan Kulwicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-kulwicki/) > [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [You learn a lot from quality players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/you-learn-a-lot-from-quality-players/) [Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/) > [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [“In your goals to go the extra mile, prepare to pay an extra cost. Excellence is to be exceptional, surpassing, more competent and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/in-your-goals-to-go-the-extra-mile-prepare-to-pay-an-extra-cost/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [We want to promote the great quality of athletics - and maintain it's integrity - all over the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-juantorena/we-want-to-promote-the-great-quality-of-athletics-and-maintain-it-s/) [Alberto Juantorena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-juantorena/) > [“Anytime I see a rainbow, what comes into my mind is how skillful and talented someone was to create an ark that didn't leak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/anytime-i-see-a-rainbow-what-comes-into-my-mind-is-how-skillful-and/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [If you are the master be sometimes blind, if you are the servant be sometimes deaf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/if-you-are-the-master-be-sometimes-blind-if-you-are-the-servant-be/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [We may be masters of our every lot By bearing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/we-may-be-masters-of-our-every-lot-by-bearing-it/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/quality-means-doing-it-right-when-no-one-is-looking/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [We cannot all be masters, nor all masters Cannot be truly followed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/we-cannot-all-be-masters-nor-all-masters-cannot-be-truly-followed/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Leadership, pure and simple, is the assumption of responsibility for the pursuit of excellence in group life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-selznick/leadership-pure-and-simple-is-the-assumption-of-responsibility-for/) [Philip Selznick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-selznick/) > [The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-basis-of-all-excellence-is-truth-he-that-professes-love-ought-to/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) [Browse all 4,187 Excellence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Perfection is never achieved, so you need to go on working.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Azzedine Alaia" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/perfection-is-never-achieved-so-you-need-to-go-on-working/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Excellence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/perfection-is-never-achieved-so-you-need-to-go-on-working/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/azzedine-alaia-10234_excellence_perfection-is-never-achieved-so-you-need_1071624.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/azzedine-alaia-10234_excellence_perfection-is-never-achieved-so-you-need_1071624.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/azzedine-alaia-10234_excellence_perfection-is-never-achieved-so-you-need_1071624.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Perfection is never achieved, so you need to go on working.” — Azzedine Alaia", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Azzedine Alaia", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Perfection is never achieved, so you...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/perfection-is-never-achieved-so-you-need-to-go-on-working/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/perfection-is-never-achieved-so-you-need-to-go-on-working/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```