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| − | Existence is perfect.
| + | {{See also|perfection and the Bible}} |
| | + | '''Perfection''' is a concept that originated with the [[Bible]], in [[Psalms]], [[Ezekiel]], and the particularly in the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]]. ''See, e.g.'', Ezekiel 28:12 ("Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord God: 'You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.'");<ref>[[ESV]].</ref> {{bibleref|Hebrews|7|11}} '''''An example of perfection today is the [[Loretto spiral staircase]]'''''. There are 53 references to "perfect" in the [[Bible]] ([[ESV]]). ''See also'' [[Psalm 37|Psalm 37:37]]. |
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| | + | '''''Perfection is difficult to define in a direct way''''', rather than saying what it is not (e.g., perfection is what is flawless). The concept of [[infinity]] may be the only, or at least the best, way to define perfection directly: perfection is an infinite attainment of a worthy goal. [[St. Anselm]], who developed and applied the concept of [[infinity]] more than 500 years ahead of secular advancements, focused on both perfection and infinity to realize fundamental truths about [[God]]. |
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| | + | Hebrews 2:9-11, which may have been spoken or written by [[Jesus]] himself after the [[Resurrection]], explains:<ref>NAB version - [http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/100415.cfm Reading for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time]</ref> |
| | + | {{cquote|Brothers and sisters: |
| | + | He "for a little while" was made "lower than the angels," |
| | + | that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. |
| | + | <br>For it was fitting that he, |
| | + | for whom and through whom all things exist, |
| | + | in bringing many children to glory, |
| | + | should '''''make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering'''''. |
| | + | He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated |
| | + | all have one origin. |
| | + | Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers.”}} |
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| | + | [[Jesus]] used the concept of perfection at {{bibleref|Matthew|19|20-22}}: |
| | + | {{cquote|20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.}} |
| | + | == Psalm 18 == |
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| | + | In Psalm 18:30, the Bible uses "perfect" in the sense of "blameless":<ref>Psalm 18:30 (ESV).</ref> |
| | + | {{cquote|This God—his way is perfect; |
| | + | the word of the LORD proves true; |
| | + | <br>he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.}} |
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| | + | == Shakespeare and perfection == |
| | + | Shakespeare often used the concept of perfection and its converse, imperfection: totaling 43 times overall in his works.<ref>https://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/</ref> |
| | + | == History of term == |
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| | + | The term "perfection" was originally used in the sense of completeness, or attaining completeness. Its more common meaning of flawlessness arose later. |
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| | + | == See also == |
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| | + | *[[Essay:Quantifying Perfection]] |
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| | + | == References == |
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| | + | <references/> |
| | + | [[Category:Bible]] |
| | + | [[Category:Hebrews]] |
| | + | [[Category:Philosophy]] |