32 Leonardo da Vinci Quotes About Life You Must See
Leonardo da Vinci, an original Renaissance man, paved the way for revolution in the fields of science and art. Leonardo da Vinci is well-known paintings like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.
With his exceptional skills of observation and mathematical applications, he became the pioneer of multiples scientific inventions including, but not limited to the helicopter, parachute, and even the use of solar power. His thirst for knowledge in the fields of science and arts led to impactful innovations that were well ahead of his time.
In this article, I’ve curated 32 quotes about life from Leonardo da Vinci. His quotes are practical, inspiring, and insightful.
“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.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“Experience does not err. Only your judgments err by expecting from her what is not in her power.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“Knowledge of the past and of the places of the earth is the ornament and food of the mind of man.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“Men of lofty genius when they are doing the least work are most active.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“Common sense is that which judges the things given to it by other senses.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“There are three classes of people: those who see. Those who see when they are shown. Those who do not see.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“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
“I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death”
Leonardo da Vinci
“It is easier to resist at the beginning than at the end.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“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.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“As you cannot do what you want, want what you can do”
Leonardo da Vinci
“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.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“As a well spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well spent brings happy death.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation … even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“All knowledge which ends in words will die as quickly as it came to life, with the exception of the written word: which is its mechanical part.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authority is not using his intelligence; he is just using his memory.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art”
Leonardo da Vinci
“A poet knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“He who possesses most must be most afraid of loss.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“Men fight wars and destroy everything around them. The earth should open and swallow them up. He who does not value life does not deserve it. Never destroy another life through rage, or through malice.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“Truth was the only daughter of Time.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“Life well spent is long”
Leonardo da Vinci
“Time stays long enough for anyone who will use it.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“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
“Common sense is that which judges the things given to it by other senses.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“All our knowledge has its origins in our perceptions.”
Leonardo da Vinci
“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
These quotes give us insight into the perspective of Leonardo da Vinci. Which sayings were most interesting to you? As a leader, how can you use these with your team or your organization? Leave a comment.
If you enjoy renaissance era quotes, click here to see Niccolo Machiavelli quotes.
Make it a great day!