POINTS TO PONDER LXXXVII

In ancient Rome there were many fine carvers and stone cutters - and there were some who were not so fine. Some would let their chisels slip and cut unintentional lines in the stone. They developed a trick to cover up these mistakes. they filled the chipped places with wax and sold the finished product as faultless.

But the better artists, willing to sell only perfect wares, stamped their work with the words sine cera  - without wax. From their custom - and honor - comes our word sincere.

Maxwell Droke

from The Speaker's Book of Illustrative Stories