self-perfectionn.

1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. ix. sig. I3 ^v Shee [sc. Virtue] was of such a selfe-perfection; that she might very well embleme, whatsoeuer omnipotency could make most rare.

1660 H. More Explan. Grand Myst. Godliness x. ix. 514 Puffing them up with the conceit of Self-perfection, on purpose to exclude our Saviour.

1688 R. Banks Relig. & Reason Adjusted viii. 88 He is utterly incapable of receiving any manner or measure of Good, by reason of his infinite Self-perfection.

1790 G. Davis St. Monday 18 Too oft, the giddy, thoughtless fair, Of self-perfection, too presumptious are.

1831 T. Taylor tr. Lucanus On Nature of Universe i. 5 That which becomes to other things the cause of self-perfection, is itself from itself perfect.

1863 P. S. Worsley Poems & Transl. 3 Couched in those large and melancholy eyes, Brooded..That tranquil self-perfection..Which..mortal men..find no name Wherewith to name.

1781 J. Kershaw Methodist ii. 20 In vain can Man his heart and hands wash clean; when he's the height of self-perfection seen, his God pronounces him, unclean! unclean!

1837 H. Martineau Society in Amer. III. 49 In the days when mutual and self-perfection will be the prevalent idea which the civilisation of the time will express.

1846 Morning Post 21 July 2/4 The efforts of the Church..towards self-development and self-perfection.

1904 Auburn Seminary Rev. Dec. 200 Love is the only emotion or spiritual force which makes for man's own self perfection and the perfection of his environments.

1974 Times Lit. Suppl. 26 July 801/4 Man seeks immortality and self-perfection through his art.

2008 Globe & Mail (Toronto) (Nexis) 30 Aug. l3 This era is about the continuing discipline of self-transformation and self-perfection.