This April 15 marks the 569th anniversary of the birth of the Florentine polymath Leonardo da Vinci. it probably is the person with the most talent in multiple disciplines that has ever existed.
Leonardo is considered one of the greatest painters of all time. As an engineer and inventor, Leonardo developed ideas very advanced in his time, such as the helicopter, the tank, the submarine and the car. Very few of his projects came to be built as most were not feasible during this time. He also cultivated Literature, Paleontology, Sculpture, Music and Urbanism.
In his excellent career, this genius, a symbol of Renaissance man, left countless quotes that summarize his worldview. Here is a selection of ten:
“Our biggest nonsense can be very wise.”
“The most useful science is that the fruit is the most communicable.”
“Where there is more sensitivity, martyrdom is stronger.”
“Great men start great works, hardworking men finish them.”
“Simplicity is the ultimate in sophistication.”
“He who does not punish evil, orders it to be done.”
“The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.”
“Just as iron is oxidized by lack of use, so inactivity destroys the intellect.”
“Wisdom is the daughter of experience.”
“Painting is silent poetry; poetry is blind painting.”
“Beauty perishes in life, but is immortal in art.”