Leonardo da Vinci was a great artist, inventor and scientist. He is perhaps the most versatile genius of all time, but he never attended school. Instead, he was self-taught. His immense range of intelligence and curiosity were seemingly boundless.
From the artist Andrea del Verrocchio, he learned painting and sculpture as well as technical and mechanical arts when he was 15 years old.
Today Leonardo da Vinci is best known for his famous paintings: 'Mona Lisa', 'The Last Supper', 'Vitruvian Man', 'Lady with an Ermine', 'Salvator Mundi'. Leonardo used special techniques in his paintings known as 'sfumato'.
As well as contributing to the fields of art, architecture, biology, music (he invented a silver lyre that was more beautiful in sound than traditional wooden lyres), optics and physics, he was an accomplished writer on various topics. Why those notebooks were not published during his lifetime is still unknown.
Additionally, he deeply explored the nature of things, particularly our own humanity - simply Da Vinci was 'ahead of the curve'.
30 Best Leonardo da Vinci Quotes On Art, Learning & Life:
1. "It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things." - Leonardo da Vinci
2. "I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection." - Leonardo da Vinci
3. "Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence." - Leonardo da Vinci
4. "The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions." - Leonardo da Vinci
5. "There are three classes of people: those who see. Those who see when they are shown. Those who do not see." - Leonardo da Vinci
6. "One can have no smaller or greater mastery than mastery of oneself." - Leonardo da Vinci
7. "Nothing can be loved or hated unless it is first understood." - Leonardo da Vinci
8. "The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding." - Leonardo da Vinci
9. "As a well spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death." - Leonardo da Vinci
"Principles for the Development of a Complete Mind: Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses- especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else."
- Leonardo da Vinci
11. "I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; We must apply. Being willing is not enough; We must do." - Leonardo da Vinci
12. "Time stays long enough for those who use it." - Leonardo da Vinci
13. "Obstacles cannot crush me; every obstacle yields to stern resolve." - Leonardo da Vinci
14. "All our knowledge has its origin in our perceptions." - Leonardo da Vinci
15. "Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets." - Leonardo da Vinci
16. "The mind that engages in subjects of too great variety becomes confused and weakened." - Leonardo da Vinci
17. "Why does the eye see a thing more clearly in dreams than with the imagination being awake?" - Leonardo da Vinci
RECOMMENDED
Top 20 Quotes To Conquer Your Fear And Become Your Best Self
18. "I awoke only to find that the rest of the world was still asleep." - Leonardo da Vinci
19. "There are four powers: memory and intellect, desire and covetousness. The two first are mental and the others sensual. The three senses sight, hearing, and smell cannot well be prevented; touch and taste not at all." - Leonardo da Vinci
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
- Leonardo da Vinci
21. "Art is never finished, only abandoned." - Leonardo da Vinci
22. "A painter should begin every canvas with a wash of black, because all things in nature are dark except where exposed by the light." - Leonardo da Vinci
23. "The painter has the Universe in his mind and hands." - Leonardo da Vinci
24. "The knowledge of all things is possible." - Leonardo da Vinci
25. "The divisions of Perspective are 3, as used in drawing; of these, the first includes the diminution in size of opaque objects; the second treats the diminution and loss of outline in such opaque objects; the third, of the diminution and loss of color at long distances." - Leonardo da Vinci
26. "Although nature commences with reason and ends in experience it is necessary for us to do the opposite, that is to commence with experience and from this to proceed to investigate the reason." - Leonardo da Vinci
27. "Life is pretty simple: You do some stuff. Most fails. Some works. You do more of what works. If it works big, others quickly copy it. Then you do something else. The trick is the doing something else." - Leonardo da Vinci
28. "He who possesses most must be most afraid of loss." - Leonardo da Vinci
29. "Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authority is not using his intelligence; he is just using his memory." - Leonardo da Vinci
"Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation ... even so does inaction sap the vigour of the mind."
- Leonardo da Vinci
In conclusion, Leonardo da Vinci's quotes serve as timeless reminders of the brilliance, curiosity, and artistic genius that defined his life and work. As one of history's most celebrated polymaths, da Vinci's insights transcend the boundaries of time and continue to inspire and captivate individuals from all walks of life.
Whether contemplating the mysteries of nature, the power of imagination, or the pursuit of knowledge, da Vinci's words offer profound wisdom and a glimpse into the mind of a true Renaissance man. His quotes encourage us to embrace the wonders of the world, to question the status quo, and to nurture our innate creativity.
They remind us of the importance of observation, perseverance, and constant learning in the pursuit of excellence. By incorporating da Vinci's principles into our lives, we can strive to unlock our own potential and leave a lasting impact on the world, just as he did.
Let us heed his words and embrace the spirit of da Vinci, as we continue to explore, create, and push the boundaries of human achievement.