"Striving for perfection" means that even after reaching a good standard, one still continuously pursues a higher level and strives for greater perfection. Here, "精" means perfection or the best, and "益" means even more. This idiom originates from the scholarly spirit in The Analects: Xue Er, "as if cut, as if filed, as if carved, as if polished," and was later extended by Zhu Xi's commentary as "having already refined it, and still seeking to refine it further." It emphasizes not being satisfied with the status quo and continuously improving, and is often used to describe the ultimate pursuit of learning, craftsmanship, work, or product quality. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the Confucian enterprising attitude of "resting only in the highest excellence" and the spirit of craftsmanship. Its emotional tone is positive, praising people or actions that are rigorous, earnest, and constantly surpassing themselves. It is used in a wide range of contexts, such as academic research, technological breakthroughs, artistic creation, and corporate management, and can also be used for self-encouragement or to evaluate others.
📝 Example
1. This design draft is already outstanding, yet he still strives for perfection, repeatedly revising every detail.
2. The craftsmen strive for perfection in every component of the product, ensuring a 100 percent factory pass rate.