by Samuel Smiles 1812-1904

Perfection is no Trifle

Michelangelo had a message for all serious entrepreneurs.

before 1564

Introduction

In business as in life, little things can make a big difference, as this story about Renaissance sculptor Michelangelo (1475-1564) shows.

by Samuel Smiles 1812-1904

MICHAEL Angelo was one day explaining to a visitor at his studio, what he had been doing at a statue since his previous visit.

“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.”

by Samuel Smiles 1812-1904

From “Self Help: With Illustrations of Character and Conduct”, by Samuel Smiles.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Perfection is no Trifle

Introduction

Questions for Critics

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