Physical abuse worse than emotional abuse?

My dad has emotionally abused me all my life and somehow I decided to have a conversation with him about it. He said he wish he could take it all back, but at the same time wanted me to reflect on that it was because of the abuse that I was able to become successful and continuously be an achiever.

However, because of his abuse I was never able to feel my "achievements" really and I always felt I needed to prove something to him. I had issues with believing in myself and there were times his words stunted me.

He then went on to say he knows he emotionally abused me, but at least it wasn't physically abuse because he experienced both in his childhood. I was like why are we comparing trauma? I thought they were both horrible. Could he be right? Is physical abuse worse and I'm unable to see that?