100+ Intriguing Leonardo Da Vinci Quotes: Captivating Creativity and Wisdom
Leonardo da Vinci, the polymath of the Renaissance era, was not only a masterful artist but also a visionary thinker whose profound insights continue to inspire generations.
His intellectual prowess spanned across art, science, engineering, and philosophy, leaving an indelible mark on human history. Beyond his iconic masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, Leonardo’s wisdom and musings on life, creativity, and the human condition are encapsulated in a treasury of thought-provoking quotes.
In this exploration, we delve into the best quotes by Leonardo da Vinci, seeking to unravel the depth of his intellect and the timeless relevance of his words. These inspirational quotes by Leonardo da Vinci offer glimpses into the mind of a true polymath, a man whose curiosity knew no bounds and whose observations of the world around him continue to resonate through the ages.
Each of these thought-provoking quotes by Leonardo da Vinci serves as a window into his profound understanding of art, science, and the human spirit. Through his words, we are invited to contemplate the intricacies of existence, the interplay of creativity and logic, and the boundless potential of the human mind.
Join us on this journey as we uncover the essence of Leonardo’s genius through his own words. Let these quotes be a source of inspiration, a beacon of wisdom, and a reminder that the pursuit of knowledge and creativity knows no bounds. Leonardo da Vinci’s quotes remain a testament to the enduring power of human curiosity, imagination, and the insatiable quest for understanding.
100+ Intriguing Leonardo Da Vinci Quotes
- “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
- “Art is never finished, only abandoned.”
- “Learning never exhausts the mind.”
- “Water is the driving force of all nature.”
- “Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art.”
- “Time stays long enough for anyone who will use it.”
- “Realize that everything connects to everything else.”
- “Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation… even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind.”
- “Nature is the source of all true knowledge. She has her own logic, her own laws, she has no effect without cause nor invention without necessity.”
- “The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.”
- “He who loves practice without theory is like the sailor who boards ship without a rudder and compass and never knows where he may cast.”
- “The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.”
- “The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.”
- “While I thought that I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die.”
- “Art is the queen of all sciences communicating knowledge to all the generations of the world.”
These quotes reflect Leonardo da Vinci’s multifaceted genius, touching on subjects ranging from art and science to philosophy and the human experience. They continue to inspire and resonate with people from all walks of life, transcending centuries with their enduring wisdom.
- “As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well used brings happy death.”
- “Study without desire spoils the memory, and it retains nothing that it takes in.”
- “The knowledge of all things is possible.”
- “Patience serves as a protection against wrongs as clothes do against cold. For if you put on more clothes as the cold increases, it will have no power to hurt you. So in like manner you must grow in patience when you meet with great wrongs, and they will then be powerless to vex your mind.”
- “The smallest feline is a masterpiece.”
- “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.”
- “Art is never finished, only abandoned.”
- “He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind.”
- “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.”
- “The painter has the Universe in his mind and hands.”
- “I love those who can smile in trouble.”
- “The function of muscle is to pull and not to push, except in the case of the genitals and the tongue.”
- “Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen.”
- “Our life is made by the death of others.”
- “He who has access to the fountains does not go to the water-jar.”
These quotes further showcase Leonardo da Vinci’s profound observations on various aspects of life, art, science, and human nature. His wisdom continues to inspire and provoke thought to this day.
- “Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.”
- “Art is the daughter of freedom.”
- “Nature never breaks her own laws.”
- “As you cannot do what you want, want what you can do.”
- “The knowledge of how to preserve health must be the first study of one who is our doctor.”
- “The depth and strength of a human character are defined by its moral reserves.”
- “Men fight wars and destroy themselves, and the fruits of their labors are passed on to those who had no share in them.”
- “He who possesses most must be most afraid of loss.”
- “Wisdom is the daughter of experience.”
- “While I thought I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die.”
- “The mind of the painter must resemble a mirror, which always takes the color of the object it reflects and is completely occupied by the images of as many objects as are in front of it.”
- “It is easier to resist at the beginning than at the end.”
- “The poet ranks far below the painter in the representation of visible things, and far below the musician in that of invisible things.”
- “One can have no smaller or greater mastery than mastery of oneself.”
- “All our knowledge has its origin in our perceptions.”
- “The natural desire of good men is knowledge.”
- “Art is never finished, only abandoned.”
- “You do ill if you praise, but worse if you censure, what you do not rightly understand.”
- “The painter who draws merely by practice and by eye, without any reason, is like a mirror which copies every thing placed in front of it without being conscious of their existence.”
- “There are three classes of people: those who see, those who see when they are shown, and those who do not see.”
These quotes provide further insight into Leonardo da Vinci’s wide-ranging intellect and philosophical reflections, covering topics from art and knowledge to human nature and personal growth. His words continue to inspire and resonate with seekers of wisdom and creativity around the world.
- “The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.”
- “The painter’s mind is a copy of the divine mind, since it operates freely in creating the many kinds of animals, plants, fruits, landscapes, countrysides, ruins, and awe-inspiring places.”
- “Nothing can be loved or hated unless it is first understood.”
- “Why does the eye see a thing more clearly in dreams than the imagination when awake?”
- “As a day well spent procures a happy sleep, so a life well used procures a happy death.”
- “Experience is a truer guide than the words of others.”
- “He who can go to the fountain does not go to the water-pot.”
- “Whoever despises the high wisdom of mathematics nourishes himself on delusion and will never still the sophistic sciences whose only product is an eternal uproar.”
- “He who wishes to be rich in a day will be hanged in a year.”
- “The eye, which is called the window of the soul, is the principal means by which the central sense can most completely and abundantly appreciate the infinite works of nature.”
- “The soul can never speak without an image.”
- “Nature is the source of all true knowledge. She has her own logic, her own laws, she has no effect without cause nor invention without necessity.”
- “The greatest geniuses sometimes accomplish more when they work less.”
- “To lie is so vile, that even if it were in speaking well of godly things it would take off something from God’s grace; and Truth is so excellent, that if it praises but small things they become noble.”
- “He who loves practice without theory is like the sailor who boards ship without a rudder and compass and never knows where he may cast.”
- “The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.”
- “He who does not punish evil commands it to be done.”
- “Art is the queen of all sciences communicating knowledge to all the generations of the world.”
- “A good painter is to paint two main things, namely, man and the intention of his mind. The first is easy, the second difficult, because he has to represent it by the attitude and movement of the limbs.”
- “As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well spent brings a happy death.”
These quotes further showcase Leonardo da Vinci’s deep contemplations on various aspects of life, art, science, and human nature. His wisdom continues to inspire and provoke thought to this day.
- “Medicine is the restoration of discordant elements; sickness is the discord of the elements infused into the living body.”
- “I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men.”
- “The knowledge of the past times and of the places of the earth is both an ornament and nutriment to the human mind.”
- “To develop a complete mind: Study the science of art; study the art of science. Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.”
- “As every divided kingdom falls, so every mind divided between many studies confounds and saps itself.”
- “One has no right to love or hate anything if one has not acquired a thorough knowledge of its nature. Great love springs from great knowledge of the beloved object, and if you know it but little you will be able to love it only a little or not at all.”
- “The function of muscle is to pull and not to push, except in the case of the genitals and the tongue.”
- “You can have no dominion greater or less than that over yourself.”
- “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.”
- “He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind.”
- “The painter is lord of all types of people and of all things. If the painter wishes to see beauties that charm him, it lies in his hand and within his will.”
- “He who possesses most must be most afraid of loss.”
- “In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time.”
- “Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets.”
- “Where there is shouting, there is no true knowledge.”
- “Nature never breaks her own laws.”
- “Wisdom is the daughter of experience.”
- “The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.”
- “In time and with water, everything changes.”
- “Art is never finished, only abandoned.”
These quotes further illustrate the depth of Leonardo da Vinci’s intellect and his insights into various facets of life, creativity, and the human experience. His words continue to be a source of inspiration and contemplation for people around the world.
- “The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.”
- “The painter’s mind is a copy of the divine mind, since it operates freely in creating the many kinds of animals, plants, fruits, landscapes, countrysides, ruins, and awe-inspiring places.”
- “Nothing can be loved or hated unless it is first understood.”
- “Why does the eye see a thing more clearly in dreams than the imagination when awake?”
- “As a day well spent procures a happy sleep, so a life well used procures a happy death.”
- “Experience is a truer guide than the words of others.”
- “He who can go to the fountain does not go to the water-pot.”
- “Whoever despises the high wisdom of mathematics nourishes himself on delusion and will never still the sophistic sciences whose only product is an eternal uproar.”
- “He who wishes to be rich in a day will be hanged in a year.”
- “The eye, which is called the window of the soul, is the principal means by which the central sense can most completely and abundantly appreciate the infinite works of nature.”
- “The soul can never speak without an image.”
- “Nature is the source of all true knowledge. She has her own logic, her own laws, she has no effect without cause nor invention without necessity.”
- “The greatest geniuses sometimes accomplish more when they work less.”
- “To lie is so vile, that even if it were in speaking well of godly things it would take off something from God’s grace; and Truth is so excellent, that if it praises but small things they become noble.”
- “He who loves practice without theory is like the sailor who boards ship without a rudder and compass and never knows where he may cast.”
- “The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.”
- “He who does not punish evil commands it to be done.”
- “Art is the queen of all sciences communicating knowledge to all the generations of the world.”
- “A good painter is to paint two main things, namely, man and the intention of his mind. The first is easy, the second difficult, because he has to represent it by the attitude and movement of the limbs.”
- “As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well spent brings a happy death.”
These quotes further showcase Leonardo da Vinci’s deep contemplations on various aspects of life, art, science, and human nature. His wisdom continues to inspire and provoke thought to this day.
- “Medicine is the restoration of discordant elements; sickness is the discord of the elements infused into the living body.”
- “I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men.”
- “The knowledge of the past times and of the places of the earth is both an ornament and nutriment to the human mind.”
- “To develop a complete mind: Study the science of art; study the art of science. Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.”
- “As every divided kingdom falls, so every mind divided between many studies confounds and saps itself.”
- “One has no right to love or hate anything if one has not acquired a thorough knowledge of its nature. Great love springs from great knowledge of the beloved object, and if you know it but little you will be able to love it only a little or not at all.”
- “The function of muscle is to pull and not to push, except in the case of the genitals and the tongue.”
- “You can have no dominion greater or less than that over yourself.”
- “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.”
- “He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind.”
- “The painter is lord of all types of people and of all things. If the painter wishes to see beauties that charm him, it lies in his hand and within his will.”
- “He who possesses most must be most afraid of loss.”
- “In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time.”
- “Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets.”
- “Where there is shouting, there is no true knowledge.”
- “Nature never breaks her own laws.”
- “Wisdom is the daughter of experience.”
- “The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.”
- “In time and with water, everything changes.”
- “Art is never finished, only abandoned.”
These quotes continue to highlight Leonardo da Vinci’s profound insights and contemplations on various facets of life, art, science, and human nature. His wisdom remains a source of inspiration for individuals seeking to explore the depths of knowledge and creativity.
- “The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.”
- “The painter’s mind is a copy of the divine mind, since it operates freely in creating the many kinds of animals, plants, fruits, landscapes, countrysides, ruins, and awe-inspiring places.”
- “Nothing can be loved or hated unless it is first understood.”
- “Why does the eye see a thing more clearly in dreams than the imagination when awake?”
- “As a day well spent procures a happy sleep, so a life well used procures a happy death.”
- “Experience is a truer guide than the words of others.”
- “He who can go to the fountain does not go to the water-pot.”
- “Whoever despises the high wisdom of mathematics nourishes himself on delusion and will never still the sophistic sciences whose only product is an eternal uproar.”
- “He who wishes to be rich in a day will be hanged in a year.”
- “The eye, which is called the window of the soul, is the principal means by which the central sense can most completely and abundantly appreciate the infinite works of nature.”
- “The soul can never speak without an image.”
- “Nature is the source of all true knowledge. She has her own logic, her own laws, she has no effect without cause nor invention without necessity.”
- “The greatest geniuses sometimes accomplish more when they work less.”
- “To lie is so vile, that even if it were in speaking well of godly things it would take off something from God’s grace; and Truth is so excellent, that if it praises but small things they become noble.”
- “He who loves practice without theory is like the sailor who boards ship without a rudder and compass and never knows where he may cast.”
- “The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.”
- “He who does not punish evil commands it to be done.”
- “Art is the queen of all sciences communicating knowledge to all the generations of the world.”
- “A good painter is to paint two main things, namely, man and the intention of his mind. The first is easy, the second difficult, because he has to represent it by the attitude and movement of the limbs.”
- “As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well spent brings a happy death.”
These quotes further illuminate Leonardo da Vinci’s profound insights into various aspects of life, art, science, and human nature. His wisdom continues to be a source of inspiration and contemplation for people around the world.
- “Medicine is the restoration of discordant elements; sickness is the discord of the elements infused into the living body.”
- “I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men.”
- “The knowledge of the past times and of the places of the earth is both an ornament and nutriment to the human mind.”
- “To develop a complete mind: Study the science of art; study the art of science. Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.”
- “As every divided kingdom falls, so every mind divided between many studies confounds and saps itself.”
- “One has no right to love or hate anything if one has not acquired a thorough knowledge of its nature. Great love springs from great knowledge of the beloved object, and if you know it but little you will be able to love it only a little or not at all.”
- “The function of muscle is to pull and not to push, except in the case of the genitals and the tongue.”
- “You can have no dominion greater or less than that over yourself.”
- “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.”
- “He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind.”
- “The painter is lord of all types of people and of all things. If the painter wishes to see beauties that charm him, it lies in his hand and within his will.”
- “He who possesses most must be most afraid of loss.”
- “In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time.”
- “Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets.”
- “Where there is shouting, there is no true knowledge.”
- “Nature never breaks her own laws.”
- “Wisdom is the daughter of experience.”
- “The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.”
- “In time and with water, everything changes.”
- “Art is never finished, only abandoned.”
These quotes reflect the depth of Leonardo da Vinci’s intellect and his profound observations on various aspects of life, art, science, and human nature. His wisdom continues to inspire and provoke thought to this day.
- “The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.”
- “The painter’s mind is a copy of the divine mind, since it operates freely in creating the many kinds of animals, plants, fruits, landscapes, countrysides, ruins, and awe-inspiring places.”
- “Nothing can be loved or hated unless it is first understood.”
- “Why does the eye see a thing more clearly in dreams than the imagination when awake?”
- “As a day well spent procures a happy sleep, so a life well used procures a happy death.”
- “Experience is a truer guide than the words of others.”
- “He who can go to the fountain does not go to the water-pot.”
- “Whoever despises the high wisdom of mathematics nourishes himself on delusion and will never still the sophistic sciences whose only product is an eternal uproar.”
- “He who wishes to be rich in a day will be hanged in a year.”
- “The eye, which is called the window of the soul, is the principal means by which the central sense can most completely and abundantly appreciate the infinite works of nature.”
- “The soul can never speak without an image.”
- “Nature is the source of all true knowledge. She has her own logic, her own laws, she has no effect without cause nor invention without necessity.”
- “The greatest geniuses sometimes accomplish more when they work less.”
- “To lie is so vile, that even if it were in speaking well of godly things it would take off something from God’s grace; and Truth is so excellent, that if it praises but small things they become noble.”
- “He who loves practice without theory is like the sailor who boards ship without a rudder and compass and never knows where he may cast.”
- “The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.”
- “He who does not punish evil commands it to be done.”
- “Art is the queen of all sciences communicating knowledge to all the generations of the world.”
- “A good painter is to paint two main things, namely, man and the intention of his mind. The first is easy, the second difficult, because he has to represent it by the attitude and movement of the limbs.”
- “As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well spent brings a happy death.”
These quotes continue to highlight Leonardo da Vinci’s profound insights into various aspects of life, art, science, and human nature. His wisdom remains a source of inspiration for individuals seeking to explore the depths of knowledge and creativity.
- “Medicine is the restoration of discordant elements; sickness is the discord of the elements infused into the living body.”
- “I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men.”
- “The knowledge of the past times and of the places of the earth is both an ornament and nutriment to the human mind.”
- “To develop a complete mind: Study the science of art; study the art of science. Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.”
- “As every divided kingdom falls, so every mind divided between many studies confounds and saps itself.”
- “One has no right to love or hate anything if one has not acquired a thorough knowledge of its nature. Great love springs from great knowledge of the beloved object, and if you know it but little you will be able to love it only a little or not at all.”
- “The function of muscle is to pull and not to push, except in the case of the genitals and the tongue.”
- “You can have no dominion greater or less than that over yourself.”
- “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.”
- “He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind.”
- “The painter is lord of all types of people and of all things. If the painter wishes to see beauties that charm him, it lies in his hand and within his will.”
- “He who possesses most must be most afraid of loss.”
- “In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time.”
- “Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets.”
- “Where there is shouting, there is no true knowledge.”
- “Nature never breaks her own laws.”
- “Wisdom is the daughter of experience.”
- “The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.”
- “In time and with water, everything changes.”
- “Art is never finished, only abandoned.”
These quotes reflect the depth of Leonardo da Vinci’s intellect and his profound observations on various aspects of life, art, science, and human nature. His wisdom continues to inspire and provoke thought to this day.
- “The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.”
- “The painter’s mind is a copy of the divine mind, since it operates freely in creating the many kinds of animals, plants, fruits, landscapes, countrysides, ruins, and awe-inspiring places.”
- “Nothing can be loved or hated unless it is first understood.”
- “Why does the eye see a thing more clearly in dreams than the imagination when awake?”
- “As a day well spent procures a happy sleep, so a life well used procures a happy death.”
- “Experience is a truer guide than the words of others.”
- “He who can go to the fountain does not go to the water-pot.”
- “Whoever despises the high wisdom of mathematics nourishes himself on delusion and will never still the sophistic sciences whose only product is an eternal uproar.”
- “He who wishes to be rich in a day will be hanged in a year.”
- “The eye, which is called the window of the soul, is the principal means by which the central sense can most completely and abundantly appreciate the infinite works of nature.”
- “The soul can never speak without an image.”
- “Nature is the source of all true knowledge. She has her own logic, her own laws, she has no effect without cause nor invention without necessity.”
- “The greatest geniuses sometimes accomplish more when they work less.”
- “To lie is so vile, that even if it were in speaking well of godly things it would take off something from God’s grace; and Truth is so excellent, that if it praises but small things they become noble.”
- “He who loves practice without theory is like the sailor who boards ship without a rudder and compass and never knows where he may cast.”
- “The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.”
- “He who does not punish evil commands it to be done.”
- “Art is the queen of all sciences communicating knowledge to all the generations of the world.”
- “A good painter is to paint two main things, namely, man and the intention of his mind. The first is easy, the second difficult, because he has to represent it by the attitude and movement of the limbs.”
- “As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well spent brings a happy death.”
These quotes continue to highlight Leonardo da Vinci’s profound insights into various aspects of life, art, science, and human nature. His wisdom remains a source of inspiration for individuals seeking to explore the depths of knowledge and creativity.
- “Medicine is the restoration of discordant elements; sickness is the discord of the elements infused into the living body.”
- “I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men.”
- “The knowledge of the past times and of the places of the earth is both an ornament and nutriment to the human mind.”
- “To develop a complete mind: Study the science of art; study the art of science. Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.”
- “As every divided kingdom falls, so every mind divided between many studies confounds and saps itself.”
- “One has no right to love or hate anything if one has not acquired a thorough knowledge of its nature. Great love springs from great knowledge of the beloved object, and if you know it but little you will be able to love it only a little or not at all.”
- “The function of muscle is to pull and not to push, except in the case of the genitals and the tongue.”
- “You can have no dominion greater or less than that over yourself.”
- “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.”
- “He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind.”
- “The painter is lord of all types of people and of all things. If the painter wishes to see beauties that charm him, it lies in his hand and within his will.”
- “He who possesses most must be most afraid of loss.”
- “In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time.”
- “Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears, and never regrets.”
- “Where there is shouting, there is no true knowledge.”
- “Nature never breaks her own laws.”
- “Wisdom is the daughter of experience.”
- “The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.”
- “In time and with water, everything changes.”
- “Art is never finished, only abandoned.”
These quotes reflect the depth of Leonardo da Vinci’s intellect and his profound observations on various aspects of life, art, science, and human nature. His wisdom continues to inspire and provoke thought to this day.
