--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Perfect doesn't exist for people like us…" description: "\"“Perfect doesn't exist for people like us, Bartholomew. Passable. That's what I want. Just simply passable. If I could have a passable existence, I thi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdd/matthew-quick-1377_life_perfect-doesn-t-exist-for-people-like-us_1564585.png" --- # Perfect doesn't exist for people like us, Bartholomew… ![“Perfect doesn't exist for people like us, Bartholomew. Passable. That's what I want. Just simply passable. If I could have a passable existence, I think I'd be very grateful.” quote by Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdd/matthew-quick-1377_life_perfect-doesn-t-exist-for-people-like-us_1564585.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdd/matthew-quick-1377_life_perfect-doesn-t-exist-for-people-like-us_1564585.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdd/matthew-quick-1377_life_perfect-doesn-t-exist-for-people-like-us_1564585.png) > ““Perfect doesn't exist for people like us, Bartholomew. Passable. That's what I want. Just simply passable. If I could have a passable existence, I think I'd be very grateful.”” [Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Accept that perfection is unattainable; aim for a satisfactory, modest life and be grateful for it. **In simple terms:** Aim for a passable, grateful life. Key Takeaway Embrace modest expectations. Themes contentment gratitude realism Mood reflective balanced Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career choices - personal goals - mental health Key Concepts self‑acceptance life satisfaction Questions to Reflect On - What does a “passable” life look like for you? - How can gratitude coexist with striving? A Different Perspective Settling may limit ambition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bartholomew Passable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bartholomew-passable-5876201/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Like Bartholomew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-bartholomew-5876202/) [Passable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passable-1248124/) [Passable Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passable-existence-5876203/) [Passable Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passable-want-5876204/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [Settling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/settling/) ## Related quotes > [I was an unremarkable student with passable looks and a direct personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-sheindlin/i-was-an-unremarkable-student-with-passable-looks-and-a-direct/) [Judy Sheindlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-sheindlin/) > [I am well passable me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-dawkins/i-am-well-passable-me/) [Tyler Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-dawkins/) > [Rock and roll mainly but I can play passable jazz also.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzi-quatro/rock-and-roll-mainly-but-i-can-play-passable-jazz-also/) [Suzi Quatro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzi-quatro/) > [Dogs seek attention from you. 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B. Priestley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-b-priestley/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) ## More by Matthew Quick > [I grew up in a blue-collar neighborhood and was raised by a man who did not emote, ever... I always cry at movies, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/i-grew-up-in-a-blue-collar-neighborhood-and-was-raised-by-a-man-who/) [Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/) > [Life is not a PG feel-good movie. Real life often ends badly. 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I am so impossibly happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/i-am-so-happy-i-am-so-impossibly-happy/) [Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/) > [“the only way you could meet my crazy was by doing something crazy for yourself”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/the-only-way-you-could-meet-my-crazy-was-by-doing-something-crazy-for/) [Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/) > [When I travel round the country, people can't place my accent; if there's someone in the audience, they'll be like, 'You're from Philadelphia', but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/when-i-travel-round-the-country-people-can-t-place-my-accent-if-there/) [Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/) > [“Empiezo a comprender que tenemos una clase de amistad en la que no se necesitan muchas palabras.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/empiezo-a-comprender-que-tenemos-una-clase-de-amistad-en-la-que-no-se/) [Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/) > [When she needed help most, she was abandoned--and only when she offered help to others was she beloved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/when-she-needed-help-most-she-was-abandoned-and-only-when-she-offered/) [Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/) > [“Sounds like the start of a beautiful friendship, Leonard. 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