--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A marble cutter, with chisel and hammer…" description: "\"A marble cutter, with chisel and hammer, was changing a stone into a statue. A preacher looking on said: \"I wish I could deal such changing blows on st..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/arthur-tappan-pierson-37882_blow_a-marble-cutter-with-chisel-and-hammer-w_1505708.jpg" --- # A marble cutter, with chisel and hammer, was changing a… ![“A marble cutter, with chisel and hammer, was changing a stone into a statue. A preacher looking on said: "I wish I could deal such changing blows on stony hearts." The workman answered: "Maybe you could, if you worked like me, upon your knees."” quote by Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/arthur-tappan-pierson-37882_blow_a-marble-cutter-with-chisel-and-hammer-w_1505708.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/arthur-tappan-pierson-37882_blow_a-marble-cutter-with-chisel-and-hammer-w_1505708.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01f/arthur-tappan-pierson-37882_blow_a-marble-cutter-with-chisel-and-hammer-w_1505708.jpg) > “A marble cutter, with chisel and hammer, was changing a stone into a statue. A preacher looking on said: "I wish I could deal such changing blows on stony hearts." The workman answered: "Maybe you could, if you worked like me, upon your knees."” [Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A craftsman's dedication transforms stone; a preacher wishes similar impact on hardened hearts, but must humble himself to achieve it **In simple terms:** Hard work changes hearts as stone is shaped Key Takeaway Humility and effort reshape resistance Themes humility work transformation Mood reflective inspirational Type advice spiritual When to use this quote - personal growth - leadership - conflict resolution - teaching - faith practice Key Concepts spiritual labor metaphor Questions to Reflect On - What personal "knees" must you bend to influence others? - How does humility enable true transformation? A Different Perspective Changing hearts requires personal sacrifice and patience ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Preacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preacher/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelangelo/every-block-of-stone-has-a-statue-inside-it-and-it-is-the-task-of-the/) [Michelangelo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelangelo/) > [The reason they invented coffins, to lock the dead in, preserve them, they put makeup on them; they didn't want them spreading or changing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/the-reason-they-invented-coffins-to-lock-the-dead-in-preserve-them/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [Men and women make their own beauty or their own ugliness. 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Chisel yesterday's victories in stone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/write-today-s-worries-in-sand-chisel-yesterday-s-victories-in-stone/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Why should I deem myself to be a chisel, when I could be the artist?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-schiller/why-should-i-deem-myself-to-be-a-chisel-when-i-could-be-the-artist/) [Friedrich Schiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-schiller/) ## More by Arthur Tappan Pierson > [We may compare the Bible to the Old Testament Tabernacle in the wilderness with its three courts. The outer court is the letter of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/we-may-compare-the-bible-to-the-old-testament-tabernacle-in-the/) [Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/) > [The Word of God represents all the possibilities of God as at the disposal of true prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/the-word-of-god-represents-all-the-possibilities-of-god-as-at-the/) [Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/) > [Jesus stands absolutely alone in history; in teaching, in example, in character, an exception, a marvel, and He is Himself the evidence of Christianity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/jesus-stands-absolutely-alone-in-history-in-teaching-in-example-in/) [Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/) > [Let the Spirit be lacking, and there may be wisdom of words, but not the wisdom of God; the powers of oratory, but not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/let-the-spirit-be-lacking-and-there-may-be-wisdom-of-words-but-not/) [Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/) > [Every step in the progress of missions is directly traceable to prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-tappan-pierson/every-step-in-the-progress-of-missions-is-directly-traceable-to-prayer/) [Arthur Tappan Pierson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-tappan-pierson/) > [Closet communion needs time for the revelation of God's presence. 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