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

Verified

Winston Churchill. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceDuring 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

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“To improve is to change, so to be perfect is to have changed often.”
— Winston Churchill
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 · evidenceChange

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: During 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.

APA

Churchill, W. (n.d.). To improve is to change, so to be perfect is to have changed often. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/3769-to-improve-is-to-change-so-to-be/

MLA

Churchill, Winston. “To improve is to change, so to be perfect is to have changed often.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/3769-to-improve-is-to-change-so-to-be/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Churchill, Winston. “To improve is to change, so to be perfect is to have changed often.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/3769-to-improve-is-to-change-so-to-be/.

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