The quotations of

Leonardo da Vinci

Italian Renaissance polymath

1452–1519

36 quotes, most often on Truth & Lies, Life & Death and Art. Part of the Scientists collection.

He who does not punish evil commands it to be done.
XIX Philosophical Maxims. Morals. Polemics and Speculations.
- Good & Evil
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.
XIX Philosophical Maxims. Morals. Polemics and Speculations.
- Truth & Lies
Nothing is so much to be feared as Evil Report.
X Studies and Sketches for Pictures and Decorations
- Fear
Our life is made by the death of others.
XIV Anatomy, Zoology and Physiology
- Life & Death
Poor is the pupil that does not surpass his master.
The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, ed. J. P. Richter, No. 498
- Education
Necessity is the theme and the inventress, the eternal curb and law of nature.
XIX Philosophical Maxims. Morals. Polemics and Speculations.
- Nature
The water you touch in a river is the last of that which has passed, and the first of that which is coming. Thus it is with time present.
XIX Philosophical Maxims. Morals. Polemics and Speculations.
- Time
Science is the observation of things possible, whether present or past; prescience is the knowledge of things which may come to pass, though but slowly.
XIX Philosophical Maxims. Morals. Polemics and Speculations.
- Science
Man has much power of discourse which for the most part is vain and false; animals have but little, but it is useful and true, and a small truth is better than a great lie.
XIX Philosophical Maxims. Morals. Polemics and Speculations.
- Animals
- Truth & Lies
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.
I Prolegomena and General Introduction to the Book on Painting
- Art
Human subtlety…will never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct than does nature, because in her inventions nothing is lacking, and nothing is superfluous.
The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, ed. J. P. Richter, No. 837
- Nature
The acquisition of any knowledge is always of use to the intellect, because it may thus drive out useless things and retain the good. For nothing can be loved or hated unless it is first known.
XIX Philosophical Maxims. Morals. Polemics and Speculations.
- Knowledge
He who possesses most must be most afraid of loss.
XIX Philosophical Maxims. Morals. Polemics and Speculations.
- Fear
- Money
What is fair in men, passes away, but not so in art.
IX The Practice of Painting
- Art
- Beauty
Avoid studies of which the result dies with the worker.
XIX Philosophical Maxims. Morals. Polemics and Speculations.
- Work

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