精益求精

Pronunciation: jīng yì qiú jīng Literal meaning: Perfect seek more perfect

Origin & Usage

This descends from Zhu Xi's commentary on a line in the Analects about cutting and polishing: what has already been worked finely (精) should be worked finer still — 治之已精，益求其精. The phrase assumes the work is already good, which is what distinguishes it from ordinary diligence; the refinement it demands has no natural end. Work that is already competent and is being pushed further earns it, which is why it turns up in company mottoes and almost never in criticism.

Examples

English: "The software team continued refining their already excellent product"

Chinese: 软件团队不断完善他们已经很优秀的产品