Perfection vs. Excellence — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 15, 2023
Perfection is the state of being free from flaws or defects. Excellence is the quality of being outstanding or superior. While perfection seeks flawlessness, excellence aims for exceptional quality without necessarily being perfect.
Difference Between Perfection and Excellence
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Perfection, by its very definition, seeks an ideal state where no flaw or deficiency is present. It's an absolute state, often unattainable, representing the zenith of quality. On the other hand, excellence denotes a superior standard, but one that does not necessarily require flawlessness. It's about achieving greatness, not absolute perfection.
In many pursuits, perfection can become a limiting objective. Striving for it might restrict innovation or creativity, fearing the introduction of any error. In contrast, excellence embraces the journey towards greatness, understanding that minor imperfections can coexist with outstanding overall quality. It's a more forgiving, yet still ambitious goal.
When evaluating work or performance, perfection can be seen as a binary: something is either perfect or it's not. This can lead to frustration, as perfection is rare. Excellence, however, offers a spectrum. It allows for gradations of quality, all of which can be commendable. Excellence celebrates achievements that stand out, even if they have small flaws.
In daily life, constantly chasing perfection might result in disappointment, given its elusive nature. Excellence, conversely, is a more attainable goal. While both terms indicate high standards, perfection leans towards the theoretical ideal, and excellence emphasizes real-world exceptionalism.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Absence of flaws or defects.
Outstanding or superior quality.
ADVERTISEMENT
Attainability
Often unattainable.
More attainable.
Focus
Flawlessness.
Exceptional quality.
Perspective
Binary (perfect or not).
Spectrum of quality.
Application
Can limit innovation due to fear of flaws.
Encourages outstanding effort.
Compare with Definitions
Perfection
The state of being free from any flaws.
The artist's rendition was the very embodiment of perfection.
Excellence
The quality of being outstanding or extremely good.
The excellence of her performance was recognized by all.
Perfection
The action or process of refining something until it's flawless.
The baker's dedication to perfection is evident in his pastries.
Excellence
A commendable quality or feature.
The excellence of the design was evident in its functionality.
Perfection
An ideal instance or epitome of a particular quality.
The concert was sheer perfection from start to finish.
Excellence
A continuous drive towards superior standards.
The team's commitment to excellence is truly inspiring.
Perfection
Complete; absolute.
She has a perfection of grace about her.
Excellence
An outstanding feature or quality.
The wine's excellence lies in its rich aroma.
Perfection
Perfection is a state, variously, of completeness, flawlessness, or supreme excellence. The term is used to designate a range of diverse, if often kindred, concepts.
Excellence
Excellence is a talent or quality which is unusually good and so surpasses ordinary standards. It is also used as a standard of performance as measured e.g.
Perfection
The quality or condition of being perfect.
Excellence
The quality of being outstanding or extremely good
A centre of academic excellence
Awards for excellence
Perfection
The act or process of perfecting
Perfection of the invention took years.
Excellence
The state, quality, or condition of excelling; superiority.
Perfection
A person or thing considered to be perfect.
Excellence
Something in which one excels.
Perfection
An instance of excellence.
Excellence
Excellence Excellency.
Perfection
The quality or state of being perfect or complete, so that nothing substandard remains; the highest attainable state or degree of excellence
We seek complete perfection.
The system runs to perfection.
To imitate a model to perfection
Excellence
The quality of being excellent; brilliance
John Davies was awarded for excellence in the field of computer security.
Perfection
A quality, endowment, or acquirement completely excellent; an ideal; faultlessness; especially, the divine attribute of complete excellence.
Excellence
Something in which one excels.
Perfection
To perfect.
Excellence
An excellent or valuable quality; something at which any someone excels; a virtue.
Perfection
The quality or state of being perfect or complete, so that nothing requisite is wanting; entire development; consummate culture, skill, or moral excellence; the highest attainable state or degree of excellence; maturity; as, perfection in an art, in a science, or in a system; perfection in form or degree; fruits in perfection.
Excellence
The quality of being excellent; state of possessing good qualities in an eminent degree; exalted merit; superiority in virtue.
Consider first that greatOr bright infers not excellence.
Perfection
A quality, endowment, or acquirement completely excellent; an ideal faultlessness; especially, the divine attribute of complete excellence.
What tongue can her perfections tell?
Excellence
An excellent or valuable quality; that by which any one excels or is eminent; a virtue.
With every excellence refined.
Perfection
To perfect.
Excellence
A title of honor or respect; - more common in the form excellency.
I do greet your excellenceWith letters of commission from the king.
Perfection
The state of being without a flaw or defect
Excellence
The quality of excelling; possessing good qualities in high degree
Perfection
An ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
Excellence
Something in which something or some one excels;
The use of herbs is one of the excellences of French cuisine
Perfection
The act of making something perfect
Excellence
Superiority or eminence.
The university is known for its academic excellence.
Perfection
A person or thing considered perfect.
She was viewed as the perfection of beauty in her time.
Common Curiosities
Is perfection always attainable?
Often, perfection is viewed as an unattainable ideal.
Does perfection have a spectrum of quality?
Perfection is typically viewed as binary, whereas excellence offers a spectrum of quality.
Does excellence require something to be flawless?
No, excellence emphasizes outstanding quality without necessarily being flawless.
Can striving for perfection lead to disappointment?
Yes, since perfection is often elusive, constantly chasing it can lead to disappointment.
Are all perfect things excellent?
While all perfect things would be considered of high quality, not all excellent things need to be perfect.
Is it more stressful to pursue perfection than excellence?
Pursuing perfection can be more stressful due to its stringent criteria.
Is excellence a more realistic goal than perfection?
Yes, excellence is often seen as a more attainable and realistic goal compared to perfection.
Can perfection limit creativity?
Yes, the fear of introducing errors can limit innovation when striving for perfection.
How does society typically view perfection and excellence?
While both are admired, perfection is seen as a pinnacle, and excellence is celebrated for its real-world exceptionalism.
Can excellence be a journey?
Yes, excellence often represents a journey towards greatness, valuing the process.
Is perfection always the same across different cultures or perspectives?
No, the idea of perfection can vary based on cultural, personal, or situational perspectives.
Can you have excellence with minor imperfections?
Yes, excellence can coexist with minor imperfections, focusing on overall outstanding quality.
Which is more flexible, perfection or excellence?
Excellence is generally more flexible as it allows for variations in quality.
Can something be excellent in one context but not in another?
Yes, what's considered excellent in one context might be average or lacking in another.
Are perfection and excellence always in opposition?
No, they can coexist; something can be both perfect and excellent. However, they highlight different aspects of quality.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Teeth vs. Tooth
Next Comparison
P vs. DAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
