Was it Jesus, who said, don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good?
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The phrase "Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good" is not attributed to Jesus. This saying is actually a paraphrase of a quote from Voltaire, the French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher. Voltaire wrote, "Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien," which translates to "The best is the enemy of the good." This expression suggests that insisting on perfection can prevent the achievement of good, practical outcomes. It's a caution against setting impossibly high standards that may lead to inaction or the rejection of effective solutions in pursuit of an unattainable ideal.
Did Jesus say anything along the same line or similar or similar intent?
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While Jesus did not say anything that directly parallels "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good" in those exact words, many of His teachings emphasize the importance of compassion, humility, and forgiveness over legalistic perfection or adhering to the letter of the law at the expense of its spirit.
One example that could be seen as reflecting a similar intent is found in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their focus on the minutiae of the law while neglecting the more important matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
In Matthew 23:23-24 (NIV), He says:
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel."
This passage criticizes the Pharisees' emphasis on small details of religious law while missing its larger and more important ethical and moral teachings. It suggests a prioritization of compassion and justice over strict adherence to rules to the point where the rules become counterproductive.
Another related teaching is when Jesus speaks about the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37-40, emphasizing love over legalistic adherence:
"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
These examples highlight the principle of focusing on the essence and spirit of the law—love, mercy, and compassion—over a rigid pursuit of perfection in adherence to the letter of the law.
Thank you! Those are definitely related ideas.
Please illustrate.
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Create a detailed illustration that visually contrasts two scenes in a 1024x1024 format. On the left, depict a serene, ancient library setting with scrolls and books, symbolizing the pursuit of knowledge and perfection, with a figure resembling Voltaire writing "Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien" on a parchment. This side should have an Enlightenment-era feel, with warm, soft lighting emphasizing a philosophical quest for perfection.
On the right, show a contrasting scene inspired by the biblical era, with Jesus in the midst of teaching a diverse group of people in a natural, outdoor setting. Jesus is depicted gesturing towards a heart symbol, surrounded by soft, divine light, emphasizing compassion, love, and the spirit of the law over strict adherence. The two scenes should be distinctly separated yet part of a cohesive whole, representing the dialogue between the pursuit of the ideal and the practical application of goodness through compassion and understanding.
