The painter will produce pictures of little merit if he takes the works of others as his standard. — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
Given the cause nature produces the effect in the briefest manner that it can employ. — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
Nature varies the seed according to the variety of the things she desires to produce in the world. — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
Even the richest soil, if left uncultivated will produce the rankest weeds. — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
The soul can never be corrupted with the corruption of the body, but it is like the wind which causes the sound… — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
Painting embraces and contains within itself all the things which nature produces or which results from the fortuitous actions of men... he… — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
I say that in narrative paintings one should mingle direct contraries close by, because they produce strong contrasts with one another, and… — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
King of the animals — as thou hast described him — I should rather say king of the beasts, thou being the… — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
King of the animals-- as thou hast described him-- I should rather say king of the beasts, thou being the greatest--because thou… — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
The evil which does me no harm is like the good which in no wise avails me. — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
A painter should begin every canvas with a wash of black, because all things in nature are dark except where exposed by the light. — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
An arch consists of two weaknesses which, leaning one against the other, make a strength. — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
But to me all sciences seem vain and full of error that are not born of experience, mother of all certainty, and do not… — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
It is ordained that to the ambitious, who derive no satisfaction from the gifts of life and the beauty of the world, life shall… — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
Be a mirror, absorb everything around you and still remain the same — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
Human subtlety will never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct than does nature because in her inventions nothing is lacking,… — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
People reveal themselves completely only when they are thrown out of the customary conditions of their life. — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
