"I care for myself perfectly well," Emet-Selch says, still invoking perfect. He must be perfect, must fulfill his role perfectly, must be a light for the Star; that's why he was chosen. Because perfect Hythlodaeus turned it down, and Emet-Selch now must live up to the idea that his friend passed on something and now he must meet a bloody impossible standard.

Never mind that Hythlodaeus is right: he was better for the job. But it's come with it's costs, too.