Idea Ripper // ArchiveCards: 1555 [Live] | Updated: 2026-10-14
Card #c1169IR // #c1169Verbatim excerpt
"'I have retouched this part—polished that—softened this feature—brought out that muscle—given some expression to this lip, and more energy to that limb.' 'But these are trifles,' remarked the visitor. 'It may be so,' replied the sculptor, 'but recollect that trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle.'"

— Source: Self-Help (Samuel Smiles)

[Use when]

Someone asks why the last 5 per cent is taking so long.

[Why it matters]

The visitor saw no change; Michelangelo listed six. Smiles pairs it with Poussin's answer on his reputation: "Because I have neglected nothing."

Filed under situations:When you’re building the thing, not just planning it

More from Self-Help

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Same situation, different book

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