Humility Quote by Charles Bukowski
““Dismiss perfection as an ache of the greedy, but do not give in to the mass modesty of easy imperfection.””
About This Quote
Source Poetry collection: The Last Night of the Earth Poems, 1992
Reject perfection driven by greed, but also avoid complacent mediocrity; strive for authentic effort.
In simple terms: Avoid greedy perfection and lazy mediocrity.
Key Takeaway
Pursue genuine, imperfect work.
Themes
perfection
greed
mediocrity
authenticity
Mood
critical
determined
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- creative projects
- personal goals
- workplace standards
Key Concepts
ethical ambition
self‑discipline
Questions to Reflect On
- What does authentic effort mean to you?
- When have you settled for easy imperfection?
A Different Perspective
Balancing high standards with realistic expectations is tough.
