In his book, Building Classic Small Craft, John Gardner described the term and use of the word “fair”.
“Fair” is a trade term meaning a continuous, uniform sweep without lumps, holes or irregularities of line of any sorts. The ultimate test of fairness is what boat builders call a “good eye,” which a few seem to come by naturally, but which most must acquire through practice and experience.
The ones I have known with this “good eye” gained this perspective thru experience. My father could look at a bolt or nut and instinctively know which size wrench to ask for or if a fence line was straight or a “little out of sorts”. The experienced craftsman knows where to stand; looking at all angles to find the right perspective- The Good Eye.
Robert Cumming, an acclaimed art critic, was examining, Filippino Lippi’s, a 15th century Italian painter, The Virgin Child with Saints Jerome and Dominic. The proportions of the scene troubled him. It appeared that the people would fall out of the painting if it were tipped. It was then that Robert Cumming realized that he had the wrong perspective. The painting was intended for a place of prayer not an art gallery. In view of all around him, Robert knelt as if he was praying and all the details of the painting were in perfect perspective.
We look around life and lack that “good eye”. Everything seems as if it is about to topple over. We wonder why. Maybe we are too proud.
Peter understood this problem and wrote in 1 Peter 5:5-7 these words:
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your
elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Prov. 3:34
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
It is all a matter of perspective. Only when we humble ourselves, get down on our knees, pray and look up that we can comprehend life and the problems surrounding us. That is how we can have that “good eye”. Then we can tell what is “fair” and good.
