Brother, let us contemplate the rough ashlar (also called rough hewn ashlar)–a crude stone carved from the earth upon which the Entered Apprentice (EA) would work to an imperfect cube, then to be made “perfect” by the Fellow Craft. This powerful masonic symbol represents the crude mind of man which, with stern contemplation and hard work may be made true for placement in that temple, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Justly, the work of the EA is not easy, nor is truing the rough form of the mind and passions of man. It reminds us that no matter how irregular and rough, with patience, the right tools, and skills we each may be made better. Within each there is the potential for perfection  carving away the vices, imperfections, and irregularities. Indeed, Michelango is quoted with the following: