Perfection

See also: perfection and the Bible

Perfection is a concept that originated with the Bible, in Psalms, Ezekiel, and 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.'"); Hebrews 7:11 An example of perfection today is the [Loretto spiral staircase]].

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.

Hebrews 2:9-11, which may have been spoken or written by Jesus himself after the Resurrection, explains:

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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. 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.”

”

Jesus used the concept of perfection at Matthew 19:20-22 :

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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

In Psalm 18:30, the Bible uses "perfect" in the sense of "blameless":

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This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

”

Shakespeare and perfection

Shakespeare often used the concept of perfection and its converse, imperfection: totaling 43 times overall in his works.

History of term

The term "perfection" was originally used in the sense of completeness, or attaining completeness. Its more common meaning of flawlessness arose later.

See also

• Essay:Quantifying Perfection