--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are always in the process of…" description: "\"“We are always in the process of approaching truth and perfection without actually ever reaching truth or perfection.”\" — Mark Manson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/788/mark-manson-537_truth_we-are-always-in-the-process-of-approach_2521214.jpg" --- # We are always in the process of approaching truth and… ![“We are always in the process of approaching truth and perfection without actually ever reaching truth or perfection.” quote by Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/788/mark-manson-537_truth_we-are-always-in-the-process-of-approach_2521214.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/788/mark-manson-537_truth_we-are-always-in-the-process-of-approach_2521214.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/788/mark-manson-537_truth_we-are-always-in-the-process-of-approach_2521214.jpg) > ““We are always in the process of approaching truth and perfection without actually ever reaching truth or perfection.”” [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human pursuit of truth and perfection is endless, never fully attainable. **In simple terms:** Truth and perfection are always out of reach. Key Takeaway Accept imperfection, keep learning. Themes philosophy growth imperfection Mood thoughtful calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal development - spiritual practice - education Key Concepts existential learning humility Questions to Reflect On - What does "good enough" feel like? - How do you balance striving and acceptance? A Different Perspective Perfectionism can cause anxiety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [“Growth is an endlessly iterative process. When we learn something new, we don’t go from “wrong” to “right.” Rather, we go from wrong to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/growth-is-an-endlessly-iterative-process-when-we-learn-something-new-2/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [“Growth is an endlessly iterative process. When we learn something new, we don't go from "wrong" to "right." Rather, we go from wrong to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/growth-is-an-endlessly-iterative-process-when-we-learn-something-new/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [Nothing stops the forward march of any creative endeavor like the need to do it absolutely perfectly. And who is to judge what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/nothing-stops-the-forward-march-of-any-creative-endeavor-like-the/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [Architecture is the reaching out for the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-kahn/architecture-is-the-reaching-out-for-the-truth/) [Louis Kahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-kahn/) > [“Beauty derives from truth not perfection.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-davis-jr/beauty-derives-from-truth-not-perfection/) Thomas Davis Jr > [The most important thing about music that I've learned after all this time is that to me, it's a way of reaching the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serj-tankian/the-most-important-thing-about-music-that-i-ve-learned-after-all-this/) [Serj Tankian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serj-tankian/) > [“Lord, Your grace is amazing and Your truth is perfection. Thank You for taking my imperfection and giving me Your”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristi-burchfiel/lord-your-grace-is-amazing-and-your-truth-is-perfection-thank-you-for-2/) Kristi Burchfiel > [“Lord, Your grace is amazing and Your truth is perfection. Thank You for taking my imperfection and giving me Your grace!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristi-burchfiel/lord-your-grace-is-amazing-and-your-truth-is-perfection-thank-you-for/) Kristi Burchfiel > [“Becoming serious is not the same thing as approaching the truth”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/becoming-serious-is-not-the-same-thing-as-approaching-the-truth/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [We now know that Art is not the truth... but rather a way of approaching the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/we-now-know-that-art-is-not-the-truth-but-rather-a-way-of-approaching/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [“Becoming serious was not the same thing as approaching truth, I sensed, however vaguely. But death was a fact, a serious fact, no matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/becoming-serious-was-not-the-same-thing-as-approaching-truth-i-sensed/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [“The truth is heavier than a sword.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naiyem-chowdhury-rony/the-truth-is-heavier-than-a-sword/) [Naiyem Chowdhury Rony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naiyem-chowdhury-rony/) > [“Narrative cannot sustain formlessness any more than light can sustain darkness - it is the antithesis of formlessness, and so it can never truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-krauss/narrative-cannot-sustain-formlessness-any-more-than-light-can-sustain/) [Nicole Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-krauss/) > [High school sucked. It was a universal truth, and whoever said these were supposed to be the best years of your life was probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kami-garcia/high-school-sucked-it-was-a-universal-truth-and-whoever-said-these/) [Kami Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kami-garcia/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) ## More by Mark Manson > [“What pain do you want in your life? What are you willing to struggle for?” Because that seems to be a greater determinant of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/what-pain-do-you-want-in-your-life-what-are-you-willing-to-struggle/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [“death is the light by which the shadow of all of life’s meaning is measured.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/death-is-the-light-by-which-the-shadow-of-all-of-life-s-meaning-is/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [“Many people measure their self-worth based on how much money they make... once one is able to provide for basic physical needs (food shelter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/many-people-measure-their-self-worth-based-on-how-much-money-they/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [“Because when you give too many fucks—when you give a fuck about everyone and everything—you will feel that you’re perpetually entitled to be comfortable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/because-when-you-give-too-many-fucks-when-you-give-a-fuck-about/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [“Once upon a time, there were two youngsters, a boy and a girl. Their families hated each other. But the boy snuck into a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/once-upon-a-time-there-were-two-youngsters-a-boy-and-a-girl-their/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [“If it's down to me being screwed up, or everybody else being screwed up, it is far, far, far more likely that I'm the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/if-it-s-down-to-me-being-screwed-up-or-everybody-else-being-screwed/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [“If you’re miserable in your current situation, chances are it’s because you feel like some part of it is outside your control—that there’s a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/if-you-re-miserable-in-your-current-situation-chances-are-it-s/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [Every new conversation, every new relationship, brings new challenges and opportunities for honest expression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/every-new-conversation-every-new-relationship-brings-new-challenges/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [“With great power comes great responsibility.” It is true. But there’s a better version of this quote, a version that actually is profound, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/with-great-power-comes-great-responsibility-it-is-true-but-there-s-a/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [“If someone is better than you at something, then it’s likely because she has failed at it more than you have.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/if-someone-is-better-than-you-at-something-then-it-s-likely-because/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [“Or let’s say you have an anger problem. You get pissed off at the stupidest, most inane stuff, and you have no idea why.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/or-let-s-say-you-have-an-anger-problem-you-get-pissed-off-at-the/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [“Some examples of good, healthy values: honesty, innovation, vulnerability, standing up for oneself, standing up for others, self-respect, curiosity, charity, humility, creativity. Some examples…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/some-examples-of-good-healthy-values-honesty-innovation-vulnerability/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [“That's simply reality: if it feels like it's you versus the world, chances are it's really just you versus yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/that-s-simply-reality-if-it-feels-like-it-s-you-versus-the-world/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [Generally, our first idea of what our business is going to be is not the right one. It takes a few iterations; to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/generally-our-first-idea-of-what-our-business-is-going-to-be-is-not/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [“Commitment gives you freedom because you’re no longer distracted by the unimportant and frivolous.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/commitment-gives-you-freedom-because-you-re-no-longer-distracted-by/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) [Explore all 483 Mark Manson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) ## More Truth quotes > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [High school sucked. It was a universal truth, and whoever said these were supposed to be the best years of your life was probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kami-garcia/high-school-sucked-it-was-a-universal-truth-and-whoever-said-these/) [Kami Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kami-garcia/) > [“Narrative cannot sustain formlessness any more than light can sustain darkness - it is the antithesis of formlessness, and so it can never truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-krauss/narrative-cannot-sustain-formlessness-any-more-than-light-can-sustain/) [Nicole Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-krauss/) > [“The truth is heavier than a sword.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naiyem-chowdhury-rony/the-truth-is-heavier-than-a-sword/) [Naiyem Chowdhury Rony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naiyem-chowdhury-rony/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I could program a 'fabulous, I love it' kind of hit season right now. I'm more interested in breaking boundaries, telling a story, defying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-wolfe/i-could-program-a-fabulous-i-love-it-kind-of-hit-season-right-now-i-m/) [George C. Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-wolfe/) > [How could anybody confuse truth with beauty, I thought as I looked at him. Truth came with sunken eyes, bony or scarred, decayed. Its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-fitch/how-could-anybody-confuse-truth-with-beauty-i-thought-as-i-looked-at/) [Janet Fitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-fitch/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I just speak the truth. I keep it real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlon-vera/i-just-speak-the-truth-i-keep-it-real/) [Marlon Vera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlon-vera/) > [I always believed that photography was subjective, interpretive and certainly did not represent the truth, but I did think that its status as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-ritchin/i-always-believed-that-photography-was-subjective-interpretive-and/) [Fred Ritchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-ritchin/) > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The greatest act of courage is to be and to ownall of who you are—without apology, without excuses, without masks to cover the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-ford/the-greatest-act-of-courage-is-to-be-and-to-ownall-of-who-you-are/) [Debbie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-ford/) > [There's no authoritarian structure at Reed College, but the education is conservative. So what you have is a lot of students who are very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/there-s-no-authoritarian-structure-at-reed-college-but-the-education/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [“The Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose, Sergeant,’ Anthony Payne replied. ‘That is from The Merchant of Venice, but it holds great truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arnold/the-devil-can-cite-scripture-for-his-purpose-sergeant-anthony-payne/) Michael Arnold > [Logic is essentially a tool for getting at truth; it is the tool, for without it no reasoning is possible in any field of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-oderberg/logic-is-essentially-a-tool-for-getting-at-truth-it-is-the-tool-for/) David Oderberg [Browse all 45,081 Truth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We are always in the process of approaching truth and perfection without actually ever reaching truth or perfection.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mark Manson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/we-are-always-in-the-process-of-approaching-truth-and-perfection/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Truth" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/we-are-always-in-the-process-of-approaching-truth-and-perfection/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/788/mark-manson-537_truth_we-are-always-in-the-process-of-approach_2521214.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/788/mark-manson-537_truth_we-are-always-in-the-process-of-approach_2521214.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/788/mark-manson-537_truth_we-are-always-in-the-process-of-approach_2521214.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We are always in the process of approaching truth and perfection without actually ever reaching truth or…” — Mark Manson", "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": "Mark Manson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“We are always in the process...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/we-are-always-in-the-process-of-approaching-truth-and-perfection/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/we-are-always-in-the-process-of-approaching-truth-and-perfection/#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 } } ] } ```