Renaissance-Era Influencer Quotes for Leaders

The wisdom of leaders seems timeless, doesn’t it?  Every time I think I’ve learned a new leadership lesson, it seems that I learn about a book or quote that addressed the same idea centuries or even millennia ago.

Today we’re sharing a collection of quotes from the Renaissance era.  It’s generally accepted that the European Renaissance Era spanned the 14th through 16th centuries BCE. 

These leadership quotes are from Renaissance-era influencers.  They’re quotes from people who helped shape the culture and known history from this time of artistic and scientific advancement.

Let’s begin…

Michelangelo (1475 – 1564) was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet of the Renaissance era.  He’s well known for his work in the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican and sculptures like David.  

Here are a few Michelangelo quotes about life:

“There is no greater harm than that of time wasted.” – Michelangelo

“If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn’t seem so wonderful at all.” – Michelangelo

“Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.” – Michelangelo

“Faith in oneself is the best and safest course.” – Michelangelo

“Genius is eternal patience.” – Michelangelo

Rafael (1483-1520) was an artistic great master of the Renaissance era as well.  He’s well known as a prolific painter and architect.

Rafael is reported to have said,

“Time is a vindictive bandit to steal the beauty of our former selves. We are left with sagging, rippled flesh and burning gums with empty sockets.” – Raphael

As a leader, what does this quote make you think of?  Your own mortality? Your legacy?  The temporal nature of your role?  Does it inspire you to do better or act with greater urgency?

Tiziano Vecelli (active from about 1506 until his death in 1576) was an Italian painter better known as Titan. He is revered as perhaps the greatest painter in Venice in the 16th century.

Here are two of bite-sized bits of wisdom from Titan:

“It is not bright colors but good drawing that makes figures beautiful.“ —  Titian

“He who improvises can never make a perfect line of poetry.“ – Titan 

Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) was a Renaissance-era mathematician, astronomer, and Catholic canon.  He’s best known for his depiction of the solar system.  He created controversy by placing the sun at the center of this solar system instead of the Earth.

Here a useful quotes from Nicolas Copernicus:

“To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge.” – Copernicus

“For I am not so enamored of my own opinions that I disregard what others may think of them.” – Copernicus

“Mathematics is written for mathematicians.” – Copernicus

When I think of this quote, it causes me to remember that the reaction to our communication is the true meaning of communication.  It’s important to consider my audience in everything I say, write or do.

“The massive bulk of the earth does indeed shrink to insignificance in comparison with the size of the heavens.” – Copernicus

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) was an Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer known by many as the father of observational astronomy, the modern scientific method, and modern science.  He’s also credited with the development of the telescope.

Here is some Renaissance-era wisdom from Galileo Galilei:

“Curiosity is the key to problem-solving.” – Galileo Galilei

“Two truths cannot contradict one another.” – Galileo Galilei

“You cannot teach a man anything, you can only help him find it within himself.” – Galileo Galilei

“I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn’t learn something from him.” – Galileo Galilei

“All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.” – Galileo Galilei

El Greco (1541 – 1614) was the nickname for Domḗnikos Theotokópoulos, a Spanish Renaissance Influencer.  He was born on the island of Crete and is best known for the work he completed while living in Toledo, Spain.

“It is only after years of struggle and deprivation that the young artist should touch color – and then only in the company of his betters.” – El Greco

“Art is everywhere you look for it, hail the twinkling stars for they are God’s careless splatters.” – El Greco

“You must study the Masters but guard the original style that beats within your soul and put to sword those who would try to steal it.” – El Greco

Miguel De Cervantes (1547 – 1616) was a Spanish writer who many consider the greatest of all Spanish language writers.  He’s best known for his work, Don Quixote.

“Forewarned, forearmed; to be prepared is half the victory.” – Miguel de Cervantes

“Diligence is the mother of good fortune, and idleness, its opposite, never brought a man to the goal of any of his best wishes.” – Miguel de Cervantes

Is it possible that Miguel De Cervantes was one of our first motivational speakers?

“He who loses wealth loses much; he who loses a friend loses more; but he that loses his courage loses all.” – Miguel de Cervantes

“In order to attain the impossible, one must attempt the absurd.” – Miguel de Cervantes

Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1340 – 1400) was an English poet, author and civil servant who is best known for penning The Canterbury Tales.  Chaucer was a giant of English literature.  He was the first English writer to be given the honor of burial in Westminster Abbey.

“Patience is a conquering virtue.” – Geoffrey Chaucer

“Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained” –Geoffrey Chaucer

“No empty-handed man can lure a bird” – Geoffrey Chaucer

“Youth may outrun the old, but not outwit.” – Geoffrey Chaucer

“Time and tide wait for no man” – Geoffrey Chaucer

These are a few of my favorite quotes from the Renaissance era. Chaucer gives us many truths that now seem universal.

Francesco Petrarch (1304 – 1374) was an Italian scholar and poet credited with the rediscovery of Cicero’s letters.  This is said to have initiated the early Italian Renaissance.

“Where you are is of no moment, but only what you are doing there. It is not the place that ennobles you, but you the place, and this only by doing that which is great and noble.” – Petrarch

“Five enemies of peace inhabit with us – avarice, ambition, envy, anger, and pride; if these were to be banished, we should infallibly enjoy perpetual peace.” – Petrarch

William Shakespeare (c. 1564 – 1616) was an English poet, playwright and actor.  He’s one of the best known of all English writers.  The impact of Shakespeare’s work can be seen in modern literature.

Click to See More Shakespeare Leadership Quotes

“This above all: to thine ownself be true. And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.” – Shakespeare

“Be not afraid of greatness: Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” – Shakespeare

“And oftentimes excusing of a fault doth make the fault the worse by the excuse.” – Shakespeare

As a leader, this was a very valuable lesson to learn.  How often have you let something slide that ultimately came back to bite you!

Niccolo Machiavelli (1469 – 1527) was an Italian author, diplomat, philosopher and historian who is perhaps best known for his book, a political treatise, The Prince. 

“Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.” – Machiavelli

“Men are driven by two principal impulses, either by love or by fear.” – Machiavelli

Click to See More Leadership Quotes from Machiavelli

“Prudence consists in knowing how to distinguish the character of troubles, and for choice to take the lesser evil.” – Machiavelli

Francis Bacon (1561-1623, 1st Viscount of St. Alban, PC, was an English philosopher and statesman who served as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England.

“Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man, and writing an exact man.” –  Francis Bacon

“Knowledge itself  is power.” – Francis Bacon

Christopher Columbus (1451 – 1506), was an Italian explorer and navigator who crossed the Atlantic Ocean 4 times during his lifetime.  He opened the Americas to European exploration.

“By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.” – Christopher Columbus

“Riches don’t make a man richer, they only make him busier.” – Christopher Columbus

“Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World.” – Christopher Columbus

Hernán Cortés (1485 – 1547) was a Spanish conquistador who colonized much of Mexico for Spain.  He is also credited with leading an expedition that ultimately led to the beginning of the downfall of the Aztec empire.

“Every kingdom divided against itself shall be rendered desolate” –  Hernán Cortés 

Ferdinand Magellan (1480 – 1521) was a Portuguese explorer.  He’s best known for leading a Spanish (the Magellan Expedition)  that circled the globe. He also discovered the Straits of Magellan south of Chile. 

“It is a blessed thing that in every age someone has had the individuality enough and courage enough to stand by his own convictions.” – Ferdinand Magellan

“It is with an iron will that they embark on the most daring of all endeavors…to meet the shadowy future without fear and conquer the unknown.” – Ferdinand Magellan

Marco Polo (c. 1254 – 1324) was a Venetian explorer, writer and merchant who travelled the Silk road during the late 13th century.  His travels are chronicled in The Adventures of Marco Polo.

“I speak and speak, […] but the listener retains only the words he is expecting. […] It is not the voice that commands the story: it is the ear.” – Marco Polo

Henry VIII, King of England (1491 – 1547) is known for expanding royal power during his reign.  He led the reformation of the Church of England, separating from the Catholic Church.  He is also known as the father of the English Navy.

“We be informed by our judges that we at no time stand so highly in our estate royal as in the time of Parliament, wherein we as head and you as members are conjoined and knit together into one body politic, so as whatsoever offense or injury (during that time) is offered to the meanest member of the House is to be judged as done against our person and the whole Court of Parliament.” – King Henry VIII

“[We are] not only prince and king but set on such a pinnacle of dignity that we know no superior on earth.” – King Henry VIII

John Calvin (1509 – 1564) was a French theologian, pastor and reformer.  He was a central figure in the founding of the Christian theology known as Calvinism.

“Humility is the beginning of true intelligence.” – John Calvin

“Prayer doesn’t change things – God changes things in answer to prayer.’ – John Calvin

“We should ask God to increase our hope when it is small, awaken it when it is dormant, confirm it when it is wavering, strengthen it when it is weak, and raise it up when it is overthrown.” – John Calvin

“Peace is not to be purchased by the sacrifice of truth.” – John Calvin

Johannes Gutenberg (c. 1393 – 1468) was a german inventor and craftsman who introduced moveable type printing to Europe.

“It is a press, certainly, but a press from which shall flow in inexhaustible streams through it, God will spread His Word. A spring of truth shall flow from it: like a new star it shall scatter the darkness of ignorance, and cause a light heretofore unknown to shine amongst men.” – Johannes Gutenberg

 “Give me twenty-six soldiers of lead and I will conquer the world.” –Johannes Gutenberg

Elizabeth I, Queen of England (1533 – 1603), was the last of 5 British monarchs from the house of Tudor.  Her reign was known as the Elizabethan Era.

“I pray to God that I shall not live one hour after I have thought of using deception.” – Elizabeth I

“There is nothing about which I am more anxious than my country, and for its sake I am willing to die ten deaths, if that be possible.” – Elizabeth I

“If we still advise we shall never do.” – Elizabeth I

“A fool too late bewares when all the peril is past.” – Elizabeth I

I love Queen Elizabeth I’s bias for action and her focus on leading her country well.

Martin Luther (1483 – 1546) was a German priest, theologian, hymnwriter, professor and friar who was a central figure in the protestant reformation.  Ultimately the theology he helped found was called Lutheranism.

“Every man must do two things alone; he must do his own believing and his own dying.” – Martin Luther

“Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.” – Martin Luther

“Reason is the enemy of faith.” – Martin Luther

Lorenzo de’ Medici (1449- 1492) was also known as “Lorenzo the Magnificent.”  He was the son of Cosimo de’ Medici, the patriarch of the de’ Medici banking family that controlled Florence and produced 4 Catholic Popes.  Lorenzo de’ Medici was an Italian statesman and banker who was a strong supporter of the renaissance culture in Florence.

“If you knew how hard it is to obtain perfection in any wart, you would overlook shortcomings.” – Lorenzo de’ Medici

“Too much knowing is misery.” – Lorenzo de’ Medici

You’ve now seen bits of wisdom from Renaissance-Era Influencers.  Which quotes resonated the most with you?  How could our leaders, including you, put some of this wisdom to work?

Thanks for reviewing these Renaissance-Era quotes. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading them and considering them as much as we enjoyed curating this collection.

Let us know which quote you liked best by leaving a comment.

Make it a great day!