April 15 marks the 569th anniversary of the birth of the Florentine Leonardo da Vinci. It is likely the person with the greatest number of talents in several disciplines that has ever existed.
Leonardo is considered one of the greatest painters of all time. As an engineer and inventor, Leonardo he developed ideas long before his time, such as the helicopter, the tank, the submarine and the car. Very few of his projects were ever built, as most were not feasible at the time. He also cultivated literature, paleontology, sculpture, music and urbanism.
In his exalted career, this genius, a symbol of Renaissance man, left countless quotes that summarize his vision of the world. Here is a selection of ten:
“Our greatest stupidity can be very wise.”
“The most useful science is the one whose fruit is the most communicable.”
“Where there is more sensitivity, martyrdom is stronger.”
“Great people start great works, hardworking men finish them.”
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
“He who does not punish evil commands to be done.”
“The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.”
“Just as iron rusts from 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 it is immortal in art.”