The Unseen Excellence

 

A gentleman once visited a temple under construction where he saw a sculptor making an idol of God. Suddenly he noticed a similar idol lying nearby. 

Surprised, he asked the sculptor, “Do you need two statues of the same idol?”

"No," said the sculptor without looking up,

"We need only one, but the first one got damaged at the last stage."

The gentleman examined the idol and found no apparent damage. "Where is the damage?" he asked. 

"There is a crack on the nose of the  idol," said the sculptor, still busy with his work.

"Where are you going to install the idol?"

The sculptor replied that it would be installed on a pillar twenty feet high.

 

"If the idol is that high, who is going to know that there is a crack on the nose?" the gentleman asked.

 

The sculptor stopped his work, looked up at the gentleman, smiled and  said, 

"I know it!"

🌱 Lesson

True excellence lies in doing the right thing even when no one is watching. It is a reminder that personal standards and inner accountability matter more than external praise or recognition. The sculptor’s refusal to accept even a barely visible flaw reflects a mindset of integrity and pride in one’s craft. In a world often driven by shortcuts and appearances, this story gently nudges us toward striving for quiet perfection—because we know, and that should be enough.

🪞 Reflection

Take a moment to ask yourself: where in life do you let small cracks pass, thinking “no one will notice”? Whether it’s a job half-finished, a promise broken in spirit, or an easy way out taken in private — these are our inner pillars. Remember that our real audience is our own conscience - The man (woman) in the mirror. By holding ourselves to higher standards, we not only create better work, but become better people — sculpting our own character. 

ℹ️ Disclaimer

This story is part of a collection of anonymous parables and inspirational tales gathered over time. The original author is unknown. If this story belongs to you, we’d love to give credit—please reach out.