Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519) was an Italian Renaissance artist. Born in Vinci, in Tuscany, Leonardo developed his talents in a host of disciplines: painting, architecture, science, literature, sculpture, philosophy, poetry, urban planning…
We are facing one of the most versatile artists in the history of humanity. He is known for being the archetype of the Renaissance man: a total talent, multifaceted and excellent in everything he tried.
Famous phrases and quotes from Leonardo da Vinci
Several of his works are considered the most valuable in the history of art: The Mona Lisa, for example, is an oil portrait of Lisa Gherardini, a contemporary of da Vinci. Another spectacular work is The Last Suppera mural immortalizing the last supper of Jesus of Nazareth and his disciples.
All in all, we are faced with one of the most relevant, admired and prolific artists in the history of man. In today’s article we are going to know the best phrases of Leonardo da Vinci to understand more in depth the thought and worldview of this reference.
1. Where there is more sensitivity, martyrdom is stronger.
Artistic sensitivity can cushion the vicissitudes of life, according to Leonardo.
2. He who does not value life does not deserve it.
A phrase by Leonardo da Vinci that shows his vitalism. It is not worth living a life that we do not vigorously desire.
3. Genius men start great works, hard-working men finish them.
There is no point in having great talent if you don’t have the determination to see it through to the end.
4. The sciences that are not born from experiment, the mother of all certainty, are vain and plagued with errors.
A great science phrase. The inexhaustible source of knowledge and, perhaps, certainties.
5. A work of art is never finished, only abandoned.
It can always be improved, but the final point is decided by the artist.
6. Painting is silent poetry; blind painting poetry.
A particular vision of both artistic disciplines.
7. Those who really know what they are talking about find no reason to raise their voice.
Deep knowledge of things allows for total tranquility and serenity.
8. Wisdom is the daughter of experience.
Nobody is born wise.
9. Busy life turns out to be long.
If you have ambitions and projects, boredom does not appear.
10. I have not lost to the difficulty of the challenges, but to time.
Time is the only enemy of creativity and productivity.
11. There is no more loyal advice than that given from a ship in danger.
If advice comes from someone who is suffering, value it even more.
12. The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.
Evil lies in ignorance, and the greatest pleasure, according to da Vinci, is in accumulating useful experiences and knowledge.
13. The most useful science is that whose fruit is the most communicable.
A little praise for scientific knowledge that can be explained and understood.
14. The threat is the weapon of the threatened.
He can only respond with more violence.
15. Rebuke your friend in secret and praise him in public.
One of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous phrases.
16. While I thought I was learning how to live, I’ve been learning how to die.
Life teaches us the final destination.
17. He who sows virtue reaps honor.
The greatness of small daily habits always pays off in the long term.
18. There are three kinds of men: those who see, those who see when they are shown, and those who do not see.
Three profiles of different intelligence (or lack thereof).
19. Marriage is like reaching into a bag of snakes hoping to pull out an eel.
An ironic phrase about what it means to marry someone.
20. You cannot have greater control than over yourself.
Exercising this control or not exercising it is everyone’s decision.
21. Why does the eye see things more clearly in dreams than in the imagination when we wake up?
There is something mystical about the dream, which sometimes seems more real than reality itself.
22. I have wasted my hours.
Curious phrase coming from a total and prolix artist like Leonardo.
23. All our knowledge has its origin in perception.
Perception precedes imagination, and not the other way around.
24. He who does not condemn evil orders it to be done.
Being complicit in evil is a vile act.
25. I woke up only to see that the rest of the world is still sleeping.
Poetic phrase from a man who took art to a higher level.
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PsychologyFor. (2024). The 25 Best Famous Quotes by Leonardo Da Vinci. https://psychologyfor.com/the-25-best-famous-quotes-by-leonardo-da-vinci/