--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Human beings are not perfect. Their…" description: "\"Human beings are not perfect. Their institutions are not perfect, but they have to keep trying. And America has to help people keep trying.\" — Condolee..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82a/condoleezza-rice-807_help-people_human-beings-are-not-perfect-their-insti_1097899.jpg" --- # Human beings are not perfect. Their institutions are not… ![“Human beings are not perfect. Their institutions are not perfect, but they have to keep trying. And America has to help people keep trying.” quote by Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82a/condoleezza-rice-807_help-people_human-beings-are-not-perfect-their-insti_1097899.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82a/condoleezza-rice-807_help-people_human-beings-are-not-perfect-their-insti_1097899.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82a/condoleezza-rice-807_help-people_human-beings-are-not-perfect-their-insti_1097899.jpg) > “Human beings are not perfect. Their institutions are not perfect, but they have to keep trying. And America has to help people keep trying.” [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human imperfection is inevitable, yet persistent effort and support are essential for progress. **In simple terms:** People and systems are flawed, but must keep trying. Key Takeaway Keep striving despite flaws. Themes perseverance hope social responsibility Mood determined optimistic Type inspirational political When to use this quote - political leadership - community building - personal development Key Concepts Resilience institutional improvement civic duty Questions to Reflect On - How can institutions better support continual improvement? - What role does optimism play in societal change? A Different Perspective Effort alone may not overcome systemic barriers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America Help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america-help-579668/) [Help people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help-people/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Not perfect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/not-perfect/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-trying/) [Perfect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfect/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Trying America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying-america-1373166/) ## Related quotes > [China is trying to become America without democracy while America is trying to become France without cheese calories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/china-is-trying-to-become-america-without-democracy-while-america-is/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Immigrants to America help us with the work they do. They challenge us with new ideas, and they give us perspective. This is still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudy-giuliani/immigrants-to-america-help-us-with-the-work-they-do-they-challenge-us/) [Rudy Giuliani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudy-giuliani/) > [I've always thought that if Israel really wanted to solve the problem, they'd just start tomorrow and push right to the Jordan River, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-dern/i-ve-always-thought-that-if-israel-really-wanted-to-solve-the-problem/) [Bruce Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-dern/) > [Those who stay here can help those who go back, and those who go back can help those who stay here in the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/those-who-stay-here-can-help-those-who-go-back-and-those-who-go-back/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [If America isn't asking for Europe's help with New Jersey, why should Europe feel uninhibited about asking for America's help with Greece?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-mcmorris-rodgers/if-america-isn-t-asking-for-europe-s-help-with-new-jersey-why-should/) [Cathy McMorris Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-mcmorris-rodgers/) > [“We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light a candle that can guide us through the darkness to a safe and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/we-are-not-here-to-curse-the-darkness-but-to-light-a-candle-that-can/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [National service coupled with education awards, such as AmeriCorps programs or Teach For America, can help young people gain skills and contribute to society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tae-yoo/national-service-coupled-with-education-awards-such-as-americorps/) [Tae Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tae-yoo/) > [No marriage is perfect. How can it be, when as human beings we are not perfect?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saira-banu/no-marriage-is-perfect-how-can-it-be-when-as-human-beings-we-are-not/) [Saira Banu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saira-banu/) > [You – help - people. You are an expert in your field, who genuinely helps other human beings. Take pride in that, stop hawking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-murray/you-help-people-you-are-an-expert-in-your-field-who-genuinely-helps/) [Chris Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-murray/) > [People are trying to decide whether the man-made disaster is worse than Mother Nature's disaster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-sabato/people-are-trying-to-decide-whether-the-man-made-disaster-is-worse/) [Larry Sabato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-sabato/) > [The people who were trying to make this world worse are not taking the day off. Why should I?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/the-people-who-were-trying-to-make-this-world-worse-are-not-taking/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [“When I try to save other people am I trying to save myself? Am I covering up for my lack of strength by putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-schutz/when-i-try-to-save-other-people-am-i-trying-to-save-myself-am-i/) [Samantha Schutz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-schutz/) > [People are trying to prove things. And I probably have that. I probably do. Probably guilty of it, in a way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-galifianakis/people-are-trying-to-prove-things-and-i-probably-have-that-i-probably/) [Zach Galifianakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-galifianakis/) > [Sometimes if the people are up for trying something that I'm interested in, it can be a great experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-anderson/sometimes-if-the-people-are-up-for-trying-something-that-i-m/) [Wes Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-anderson/) > [Usually a good part of the people trying it end up not making it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-uris/usually-a-good-part-of-the-people-trying-it-end-up-not-making-it/) [Leon Uris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-uris/) ## More by Condoleezza Rice > [The Iranian people have a proud past. They merit a great future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/the-iranian-people-have-a-proud-past-they-merit-a-great-future/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [It has been hard to muster the resources to support fledgling democracies and to intervene on behalf of the most desperate. The AIDS orphans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/it-has-been-hard-to-muster-the-resources-to-support-fledgling/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [We can't live true to our set of values unless American educational system is strong. I really believe that if we don't get that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/we-can-t-live-true-to-our-set-of-values-unless-american-educational/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [I remember at the time of 9/11 that there were women who went out of their way to escort Muslim women to grocery stores…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-remember-at-the-time-of-9-11-that-there-were-women-who-went-out-of/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [The first step for a leader is to be right with yourself. Integrity is the basis of leadership.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/the-first-step-for-a-leader-is-to-be-right-with-yourself-integrity-is/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [A lot is being done to bring additional protective measures, particularly the critical infrastructure locations around the United States, ... There is a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/a-lot-is-being-done-to-bring-additional-protective-measures/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [You cannot be on one hand dedicated to peace and on the other dedicated to violence. Those two things are irreconcilable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/you-cannot-be-on-one-hand-dedicated-to-peace-and-on-the-other/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [I'm not personally fearful, but I look out, and there are a number of things that concern me, and I'm hopeful that we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-m-not-personally-fearful-but-i-look-out-and-there-are-a-number-of/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [ \[I'm\] very fortunate and blessed person who still has a lot of living to do. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-m-very-fortunate-and-blessed-person-who-still-has-a-lot-of-living/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [Football is like war. It's about taking territory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/football-is-like-war-it-s-about-taking-territory/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [I think there are plenty of men out there who are capable and accomplished in their own realm. You don't have to be in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-think-there-are-plenty-of-men-out-there-who-are-capable-and/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [I've always said as a political scientist that "culture" is what we use when we can't explain things. I think it's more about accessibility.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-ve-always-said-as-a-political-scientist-that-culture-is-what-we-use/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [I believed Afghanistan was always going to be hard. It's the fifth poorest country in the world. And when you fly over it, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-believed-afghanistan-was-always-going-to-be-hard-it-s-the-fifth/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [I'm very glad my mother didn't let me quit piano lessons at age 10. She said I wasn't old enough or good enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/i-m-very-glad-my-mother-didn-t-let-me-quit-piano-lessons-at-age-10/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [The idea the president of the United States was warned that Al-Qaeda was going to attack the United States and did nothing about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/the-idea-the-president-of-the-united-states-was-warned-that-al-qaeda/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) [Explore all 365 Condoleezza Rice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) ## More Help people quotes > [I want to help people struggling with whatever it is they're going through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santan-dave/i-want-to-help-people-struggling-with-whatever-it-is-they-re-going/) [Santan Dave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santan-dave/) > [We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to help people understand that animals are fellow creatures, that we must protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/we-need-in-a-special-way-to-work-twice-as-hard-to-help-people/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [This is what happens when you try to help people. You get screwed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/this-is-what-happens-when-you-try-to-help-people-you-get-screwed/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [Try to help people rather than focusing on what's in it for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-brogan/try-to-help-people-rather-than-focusing-on-what-s-in-it-for-me/) [Chris Brogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-brogan/) > [When you really need help, people will respond. Sincerity means dropping the image facade and showing a willingness to be vulnerable. Tell it the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-canfield/when-you-really-need-help-people-will-respond-sincerity-means/) [Jack Canfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-canfield/) > [If you ask why I do what I do - I want to make a difference. I don't just want to maintain the status…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-broad/if-you-ask-why-i-do-what-i-do-i-want-to-make-a-difference-i-don-t/) [Eli Broad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-broad/) > [“Powerful people sometimes do things to help people like me without really understanding people like me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-vance/powerful-people-sometimes-do-things-to-help-people-like-me-without/) [J.D. Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-vance/) > [It's kind of hard to spend long hours trying to help people and then find out that the favorite game of the columnist is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-scott/it-s-kind-of-hard-to-spend-long-hours-trying-to-help-people-and-then/) [Bill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-scott/) > [“Much of the ability to help other people arises from personal power, but it would be naive to assert that nothing else is required.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-m-weinberg/much-of-the-ability-to-help-other-people-arises-from-personal-power/) [Gerald M. Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-m-weinberg/) > [Love is doing what will enthrall the beloved with the greatest and longest joy. What will enthrall the beloved this way is the glory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/love-is-doing-what-will-enthrall-the-beloved-with-the-greatest-and/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [“We Will Let You Down: If We’re Close Enough to Help, We’re Close Enough to Hurt Bob Nobody wants to be the church that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-briggs-2/we-will-let-you-down-if-we-re-close-enough-to-help-we-re-close-enough/) [J.R. Briggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-briggs-2/) > [You wanted to become a doctor to help people and feel better at the end of your job, I think, watching them, as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlin-moran/you-wanted-to-become-a-doctor-to-help-people-and-feel-better-at-the/) [Caitlin Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlin-moran/) > [“You can't not help people just because they're stupid or forgetful or unpleasant... If I don't help them, who will?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/you-can-t-not-help-people-just-because-they-re-stupid-or-forgetful-or/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [I do try to be of some use in the world. I sometimes do volunteer work with kids, and manage to help some people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-shirley/i-do-try-to-be-of-some-use-in-the-world-i-sometimes-do-volunteer-work/) [John Shirley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shirley/) > [I think from what I personally know, I am really quite proud of most of the people I know who have 'made it,' who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-haley/i-think-from-what-i-personally-know-i-am-really-quite-proud-of-most/) [Alex Haley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-haley/) [Browse all 1,290 Help people quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help-people/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Human beings are not perfect. Their institutions are not perfect, but they have to keep trying. 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