<P> Perfect is the enemy of good is an aphorism, an English variant of the older better is the enemy of good, which was popularized by Voltaire in French form . Alternative forms include "the perfect is the enemy of the good" or "the enemy of the good is the better", which more closely translate French and earlier Italian sayings, or "(the) perfect is the enemy of (the) good enough". Similar sentiments occur in other phrases, including from English, and are all attested since around 1600 . </P> <P> The phrase is found in Italian as Il meglio è nemico del bene (The better is enemy of the good), attested since the 1603 Proverbi italiani (Italian Proverbs), by Orlando Pescetti . </P>

Who said perfect is the enemy of good