The great Chinese philosopher Confucius wrote several important works, but he was also quoted by many who heard him teach. One quote ascribed to him reads: “Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.” It is a poetic way of saying: “It is better to be imperfect and useful than to be perfect and useless.”

This concept of recognizing the value in things with blemishes was also expressed in other Chinese Proverbs such as: “Better be a piece of broken jade than unbroken tile— it’s better to die with honor than to survive in disgrace.”

Dr. Peter G. Vajda, seminar leader, workshop facilitator, and motivational speaker made this comment on the subject of seeing good in the midst of bad: “One way we measure success and greatness is by assessing our failures – or rather, what we have learned about ourselves through these failures. There is no perfection without fault – none. The self-reflection that follows failure is the catalyst that fosters improvement, growth, and greatness.”

Such insight can have immeasurable value, especially in our spiritual lives. Too many Christians give up trying because they just can’t seem to measure up to the expectations of their fellow believers or the church group they belong to. I cannot remember, ever meeting anyone who was more interested in getting approval and applause from those they didn’t know than from those closest to them.

We must never forget that the One we should please first and foremost is our heavenly Father. No matter what others may think of our performance, as long as He is satisfied, that’s what really counts. We see how important this is in the fact that many of those who disapprove of our character because of flaws in our moral judgment or the function of our virtues, only take time to criticize us. Our Heavenly Father, however, not only convicts us of our wrongs but then extends His divine hand to help us stand up again after we fall so that we can continue to make progress.

So let this proverb become a reality in your life. Just keep telling yourself: “I’d rather be a useful defective diamond in God’s eyes, than a useless perfect pebble in the eyes of my fellow man.” – Dr. Robert R Seyda