Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.
—Kathryn Vance-Perez in Love and Truth
High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation.
—Charles Kettering
It is only in your mind that you have to excel, at anything or everything. Of course, it would be very nice to excel at most things. Indeed, we recommend that you try and do your best. But realistically, you are entitled to do the bare minimum to get by. All your accomplishments are just a bonus, something to enjoy, not requirements. You don't have to do anything to prove that you are worthy of existing.
—Aristotle
To enjoy the things we ought and to hate the things we ought has the greatest bearing on excellence of character.
—Aristotle
With regard to excellence, it is not enough to know, but we must try to have and use it.
—George Will
Sports serve society by providing vivid examples of excellence.
—H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Strive for excellence, not perfection.
—Jane Austen
In every power, of which taste is the foundation, excellence is pretty fairly divided between the sexes.
—John F. Kennedy
The ancient Greek definition of happiness was the full use of your powers along lines of excellence.
—Michael J. Fox
I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business.
—Pearl Buck
The secret of joy in work is contained in one word—excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.
—Publilius Syrus
It takes a long time to bring excellence to maturity.
—Sallust
The renown which riches or beauty confer is fleeting and frail; mental excellence is a splendid and lasting possession.
—Shana Alexander
The sad truth is that excellence makes people nervous.
—Winston Churchill
It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required.
—Unknown