If I had written King Lear, I would regret it all my life afterwards. Because that work is so big, that its defects show as huge, its monstrous defects, things even minimal in between some scenes and their possible perfection. It's not the sun with spots; it's a broken greek statue.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Pessoa expresses that creating something large and perfect would lead to regret over inevitable flaws.
- In plain terms
- If I wrote a masterpiece, I would regret the imperfections forever.
- What can you take from it?
- Perfection is unattainable; expect and accept flaws in big work.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you handle imperfection?
- What standards do you hold yourself to?
Another view
Striving for perfection can drive high quality work.
More from Fernando Pessoa
We adore perfection because we can't have it; it would disgust us if we had it. Perfect is inhuman, because human is imperfect.
Permalink to quote #122 For valuing your own suffering sets on it the gold of a sun of pride. Suffering a lot can originate the illusion of being the Chosen of Pain.
Permalink to quote #124 And let our despite go to those who work and fight and our hate to those who hope and trust.
Permalink to quote #121
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