EXHIBIT 5.1


[SHERWIN-WILLIAMS LOGO]
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THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
101 Prospect Avenue, N.W.
Cleveland, Ohio  44115
Phone:  (216) 566-2200

Louis E. Stellato
Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary



                                                              November 15, 2002



The Sherwin-Williams Company
101 Prospect Avenue, N.W.
Cleveland, Ohio  44115

         Re:  The Sherwin-Williams Company 2003 Stock Plan

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         As General Counsel for The Sherwin-Williams Company, an Ohio
corporation ("Sherwin-Williams"), I am delivering this opinion for use as an
Exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Sherwin-Williams (the
"Registration Statement") to be filed on or about November 15, 2002 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to register 9,195,735 shares of
common stock of Sherwin-Williams, par value $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), that
may be issued by Sherwin-Williams from time to time in accordance with the terms
of The Sherwin-Williams Company 2003 Stock Plan (the "Plan").

         This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of
Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act").

         I have examined the following in connection with this opinion: (i) the
Amended Articles of Incorporation and Regulations of Sherwin-Williams, (ii) the
Registration Statement, (iii) the Plan, and (iv) resolutions of the Board of
Directors of Sherwin-Williams adopted at a meeting duly held on February 6, 2002
relating to the filing of the Registration Statement. I have also examined such
records, certificates and other documents that I have considered necessary or
appropriate for the purpose of this opinion.






November 15, 2002
Page 2


         Based upon the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the Shares, when
acquired by the Plan participants in accordance with the terms of the Plan, will
be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. This opinion is limited to
original issuance securities, if any, issued pursuant to the terms of the Plan
after the date of this opinion.

         I consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to me, in my capacity as General
Counsel of Sherwin-Williams, under the caption "Interests of Named Experts and
Counsel" in the Registration Statement. In giving my consent, I do not thereby
admit that I am in the category of persons whose consent is required under
Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC
thereunder.


                                                              Very truly yours,


                                                              /s/ L.E. Stellato