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Perfection, cosmically, was nothing but perfect Equanimity and Harmony; and in human relations, nothing but perfect Love and Justice. And Perfection began to glow before the eyes of the Western world like a new star, whose light touched with glamour all things as they came forth from Mystery, till to Mystery they were ready to return. This - I thought is surely what the Western world has dimly been rediscovering. There has crept into our minds once more the feeling that the Universe is all of a piece, Equipoise supreme; and all things equally wonderful, and mysterious, and valuable. We have begun, in fact, to have a glimmering of the artist's creed, that nothing may we despise or neglect - that everything is worth the doing well, the making fair - that our God, Perfection, is implicit everywhere, and the revelation of Him the business of our Art.

John Galsworthy#27

ArtEthicsHarmonyPerfectionUniverseValue

About this quote

What does it mean?
Perfection in the universe is about balance and harmony, while in human life it is about love and justice. We are rediscovering that everything is connected and valuable.
In plain terms
The universe is balanced and everything matters, so we should treat all things with care and respect.
What can you take from it?
Treat every task and thing with care because everything has value.

Where it applies

  • philosophical reflection
  • artistic creation
  • personal ethics

Putting it to work

  • apply care to daily tasks
  • seek balance in decisions
  • respect all life

Questions to consider

  • What do you consider perfect in your work?
  • How do you find balance in life?

Another view

It assumes a universal order that may not exist objectively.

More from John Galsworthy

  1. I cannot help thinking that historians, looking back from the far future, will record this age as the Third Renaissance. We who are lost in it, working or look…

    Permalink to quote #26
  2. Is not the training of an artist a training in the due relation of one thing with another, and in the faculty of expressing that relation clearly; and, even mo…

    Permalink to quote #28
  3. Art is the great and universal refreshment. For Art is never dogmatic; holds no brief for itself; you may take it, or you may leave it. It does not force itsel…

    Permalink to quote #25

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