--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It wears on a person, you know, always…" description: "\"“It wears on a person, you know, always having to be perfect. You know that one day something will happen,some problem that won't fit into a neat littl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/254/mary-e-pearson-2812_mortal_it-wears-on-a-person-you-know-always-hav_1367806.jpg" --- # It wears on a person, you know, always having to be… ![“It wears on a person, you know, always having to be perfect. You know that one day something will happen,some problem that won't fit into a neat little project. Something that can't be fixed. Then where does that leave you?" She doesn't hesitate. "You become mortal like the rest of us," she says.” quote by Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/254/mary-e-pearson-2812_mortal_it-wears-on-a-person-you-know-always-hav_1367806.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/254/mary-e-pearson-2812_mortal_it-wears-on-a-person-you-know-always-hav_1367806.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/254/mary-e-pearson-2812_mortal_it-wears-on-a-person-you-know-always-hav_1367806.jpg) > ““It wears on a person, you know, always having to be perfect. You know that one day something will happen,some problem that won't fit into a neat little project. Something that can't be fixed. Then where does that leave you?" She doesn't hesitate. "You become mortal like the rest of us," she says.”” [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The pressure to be flawless leads to anxiety; inevitable imperfections force us to accept our humanity. **In simple terms:** Perfection is impossible; accept imperfection. Key Takeaway Embrace vulnerability and realistic expectations. Themes imperfection humanity anxiety acceptance Mood reflective empathetic Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal growth - creative projects - team leadership - relationship conflicts Key Concepts existentialism psychology self‑compassion Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond when standards become unattainable? - What steps can you take to normalize imperfection? A Different Perspective Perfectionism can hinder progress and cause burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Mortal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortal/) ## Related quotes > [No mortal ever has been, no mortal ever will be like the soul just launched on the sea of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/no-mortal-ever-has-been-no-mortal-ever-will-be-like-the-soul-just/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [Indecisiveness wears a person out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-konigsburg/indecisiveness-wears-a-person-out/) [E. L. Konigsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-konigsburg/) > [That's what I'm focused on, having that perfect race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oksana-masters/that-s-what-i-m-focused-on-having-that-perfect-race/) [Oksana Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oksana-masters/) > [My whole thing is having the perfect balance. Let's say I go to school. I have a day at school. That's the perfect amount…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wolfhard/my-whole-thing-is-having-the-perfect-balance-let-s-say-i-go-to-school/) [Finn Wolfhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wolfhard/) > [“The best part of being unique is not having to be perfect.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sofi-benitez/the-best-part-of-being-unique-is-not-having-to-be-perfect/) [Sofi Benitez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sofi-benitez/) > [It isn't about having a perfect relationship. It's about finding someone who will be there through everything without giving up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babloo/it-isn-t-about-having-a-perfect-relationship-it-s-about-finding/) [Babloo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babloo/) > [It is becoming more widely acknowledged that it is better to have a good constitution than not having a perfect one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romano-prodi/it-is-becoming-more-widely-acknowledged-that-it-is-better-to-have-a/) [Romano Prodi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romano-prodi/) > [“It's not about having the perfect relationship. It's about finding someone who will be there throughout EVERYTHING.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alena-storova/it-s-not-about-having-the-perfect-relationship-it-s-about-finding-3/) Alena Storova > [I'm lucky in having found the perfect partner to spend my life with](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-paretsky/i-m-lucky-in-having-found-the-perfect-partner-to-spend-my-life-with/) [Sara Paretsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-paretsky/) > [It's not all about having the perfect body, perfect hair, perfect smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-atack/it-s-not-all-about-having-the-perfect-body-perfect-hair-perfect-smile/) [Emily Atack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-atack/) > [I know that having the perfect body doesn't fix all your problems, or make you love yourself more. To me, it's all about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/america-ferrera/i-know-that-having-the-perfect-body-doesn-t-fix-all-your-problems-or/) [America Ferrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/america-ferrera/) > [Being happy is a beauty. It's not about having the perfect face or perfect make-up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-atack/being-happy-is-a-beauty-it-s-not-about-having-the-perfect-face-or/) [Emily Atack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-atack/) > [Having the perfect body doesn't fix all your problems, or make you love yourself more. To me, it's all about being comfortable in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/america-ferrera/having-the-perfect-body-doesn-t-fix-all-your-problems-or-make-you/) [America Ferrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/america-ferrera/) > [Having a perfect day is impossible, but as long as I have some perfect moments out of that day impossible is nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/having-a-perfect-day-is-impossible-but-as-long-as-i-have-some-perfect/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Having one perfect thing was less important than having a range of ideas, realizing they were all taking you in a certain direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-benton/having-one-perfect-thing-was-less-important-than-having-a-range-of/) [Robert Benton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-benton/) ## More by Mary E. Pearson > [“Once upon a time, there was a man as great as the gods… But even the great can tremble with fear. Even the great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/once-upon-a-time-there-was-a-man-as-great-as-the-gods-but-even-the/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [“abuelita speaks no english. she doesn't need to, zoe thinks. her smile fills and communicates so much more than the empty, half-said words of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/abuelita-speaks-no-english-she-doesn-t-need-to-zoe-thinks-her-smile/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [... Change doesn't happen overnight-it's molded by people who don't give up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/change-doesn-t-happen-overnight-it-s-molded-by-people-who-don-t-give/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [There are all kinds of friends you make in life... But there's something different about someone who spreads their wings with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/there-are-all-kinds-of-friends-you-make-in-life-but-there-s-something/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [“I shan't make a fuss over the babe's father.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/i-shan-t-make-a-fuss-over-the-babe-s-father/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [“Multiple closets for different needs. Overkill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/multiple-closets-for-different-needs-overkill/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [“It is good to have many strengths, Natiya...Do not sacrifice one kind of strength for another”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/it-is-good-to-have-many-strengths-natiya-do-not-sacrifice-one-kind-of/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [“Somewhere beyond all that, on an unseeable horizon, was Morrighan and all the people who lived there, going about their lives, unaware. My brothers.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/somewhere-beyond-all-that-on-an-unseeable-horizon-was-morrighan-and/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [“I play the if game too, Tavish. It´s practically a hobby of mine, but I´ve found it´s a game of endless possibilities with no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/i-play-the-if-game-too-tavish-it-s-practically-a-hobby-of-mine-but-i/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [“He leaned back, the misery in his eyes cutting through me. "But they're only wishes Lia, because you've made promises and so have I.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/he-leaned-back-the-misery-in-his-eyes-cutting-through-me-but-they-re/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [Father says it will come in time. “Time heals,” he says. I don’t tell him that I don’t know what time is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/father-says-it-will-come-in-time-time-heals-he-says-i-don-t-tell-him/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [There is something about her eyes. Eyes don't breathe. I know that much. But hers look breathless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/there-is-something-about-her-eyes-eyes-don-t-breathe-i-know-that-much/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [But remember, child, we may all have our own story and destiny, and sometimes our seemingly bad fortune, but we're all part of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/but-remember-child-we-may-all-have-our-own-story-and-destiny-and/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [But I am more than a name. More than they tell me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/but-i-am-more-than-a-name-more-than-they-tell-me/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [“I looked at her, unsure how to answer. Even after everything Mikael had done, every day I had to let go again. He was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/i-looked-at-her-unsure-how-to-answer-even-after-everything-mikael-had/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) [Explore all 148 Mary E. Pearson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) ## More Mortal quotes > [“I practice Dying--every night-- But have not learned to, still-- Though Talented--by Mortal bones-- For such a common Skill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-powers/i-practice-dying-every-night-but-have-not-learned-to-still-though/) Alan W. Powers > [To love is to be vulnerable: if God loves, then God is mortal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-cupitt/to-love-is-to-be-vulnerable-if-god-loves-then-god-is-mortal/) [Don Cupitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-cupitt/) > [Were not the gods forms created like me and you, mortal, transient?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/were-not-the-gods-forms-created-like-me-and-you-mortal-transient/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [We civilizations now know ourselves mortal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-valery/we-civilizations-now-know-ourselves-mortal/) [Paul Valery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-valery/) > [A wicked mortal is not the idea of God. He is little else than the expression of error. To suppose that sin, lust, hatred,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-baker-eddy/a-wicked-mortal-is-not-the-idea-of-god-he-is-little-else-than-the/) [Mary Baker Eddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-baker-eddy/) > [“The evilness is a good choice if we're only mortal humans, or maybe it'll be...?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-salazar/the-evilness-is-a-good-choice-if-we-re-only-mortal-humans-or-maybe-it/) Josh Salazar > [“It was more than any mortal man could resist, so he let go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kit-rocha/it-was-more-than-any-mortal-man-could-resist-so-he-let-go/) [Kit Rocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kit-rocha/) > [“human beings can’t be legends, being mortal,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-smith/human-beings-can-t-be-legends-being-mortal/) [Ali Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-smith/) > [If I'm taking a picture of Brancusi's grave, I know that there's something of him, of his mortal remains, beneath my feet, and there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/if-i-m-taking-a-picture-of-brancusi-s-grave-i-know-that-there-s/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [By the time I'm old, I'm sure I'll have lived a full enough life. I think we're mortal for a reason. Life gets tiring,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-furlong/by-the-time-i-m-old-i-m-sure-i-ll-have-lived-a-full-enough-life-i/) [Edward Furlong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-furlong/) > [Darkness is only in the mortal eye, that thinks it sees, but sees not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/darkness-is-only-in-the-mortal-eye-that-thinks-it-sees-but-sees-not/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [In my own work, I don't have favorite characters, but I have characters that I relate to the most. And I relate the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/in-my-own-work-i-don-t-have-favorite-characters-but-i-have-characters/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [The battle of being mortal is the battle to maintain the integrity of one’s life,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atul-gawande/the-battle-of-being-mortal-is-the-battle-to-maintain-the-integrity-of/) [Atul Gawande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atul-gawande/) > [“A premature death does not only rob one of the countless instances where one would have experienced pleasure, it also saves one from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/a-premature-death-does-not-only-rob-one-of-the-countless-instances/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [Woe to those who die in mortal sin!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-of-assisi/woe-to-those-who-die-in-mortal-sin/) [Francis of Assisi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-of-assisi/) [Browse all 433 Mortal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It wears on a person, you know, always having to be perfect. 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