Chinese idiom · 成语
精益求精
Meaning
Refined and seeking finer; relentless perfection.
Character by character
Origin and story
Philosophical commentaryZhu Xi explains this idea in his Song commentary on the opening chapter of the Analects. Zigong has quoted the Book of Songs' images of cutting, filing, carving, and polishing. Zhu Xi observes that a craftsperson refines bone or horn after cutting it, and polishes jade or stone after shaping it: good workmanship is improved still further.
His explanation is also about moral learning. Zigong had considered avoiding flattery and arrogance sufficient, but realizes that understanding and cultivation need not stop at that level. The modern idiom condenses Zhu Xi's wording about something already fine becoming finer. It encourages continued improvement rather than premature satisfaction.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
这份设计已经很好了，但我们还想精益求精，把细节再改一改。
The design is already good, but we want to improve it further by refining the details.
Emphasizes improving work that is already good, not merely correcting failure.