Excellence Quote by John Ruskin
“If we pretend to have reached either perfection or satisfaction, we have degraded ourselves and our work. God's work only may express that, but ours may never have that sentence written upon it, Behold it was very good.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Art and Work, 1850
Pretending perfection degrades us; only divine work may be flawless, urging humility and continual effort.
In simple terms: Faking perfection harms us; strive for humility.
Key Takeaway
Accept imperfection and keep improving.
Themes
humility
perfection
work ethic
Mood
reflective
philosophical
Type
literary
inspirational
When to use this quote
- creative projects
- professional development
- spiritual practice
- self‑assessment
Key Concepts
divine vs human effort
self‑critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance humility with ambition?
- What standards guide your work?
A Different Perspective
Perfectionism can drive excellence.
