Tag Archives: Mercury and the Sculptor

12.Mercury and the Sculptor

MERCURY once determined to learn in what esteem he was held among mortals. For this purpose he took on the shape of a man and visited a sculptor’s studio in this disguise. After looking at various statues, he demanded the price of two figures of Mother Mary and a lamb. When the sum at which they were valued was named, he pointed to a figure of himself, saying to the sculptor,

“You’ll certainly want much more for this, as it is the statue of a certain messenger of gains.”

The sculptor replied, “Well, if you’ll buy these, I’ll fling you that into the bargain.”

A sculptor needs to think things through on his own.