Who said “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.”?

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John Henry Newman. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceAn Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine (1845), Chapter 1, Section 1, p. 39

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“To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.”
— John Henry Newman
VerifiedAn Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine (1845), Chapter 1, Section 1, p. 39 · evidenceChange
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine (1845), Chapter 1, Section 1, p. 39.

APA

Newman, J. H. (n.d.). To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/9236-to-live-is-to-change-and-to-be/

MLA

Newman, John Henry. “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/9236-to-live-is-to-change-and-to-be/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Newman, John Henry. “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/9236-to-live-is-to-change-and-to-be/.

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“To improve is to change, so to be perfect is to have changed often.”
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VerifiedDuring a debate with Philip Snowden, 1st Viscount Snowden (June 23, 1925); Complete Speeches, 1897–1963, edited by Robert Rhodes James, Chelsea House ed., vol. 4 (1922–1928), p. 3706 · evidenceDetails & citeChange
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