Inspirational Quote by Leonardo Da Vinci Reproductions
![“They will say that I, having no literary skill, cannot properly express that which I desire to treat of, but they do not know that my subjects are to be dealt with by experience rather than by words. And [experience] has been the mistress of those who wrote well. And so, as mistress, I will cite…” quote by Leonardo Da Vinci Reproductions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c33/leonardo-da-vinci-reproduction_inspirational_they-will-say-that-i-having-no-literary_877193.jpg)
““They will say that I, having no literary skill, cannot properly express that which I desire to treat of, but they do not know that my subjects are to be dealt with by experience rather than by words. And [experience] has been the mistress of those who wrote well. And so, as mistress, I will cite her in all cases. Though I may not, like them, be able to quote other authors, I shall rely on that which is much greater and more worthy: on experience, the mistress of their masters.””
About This Quote
Source Letter: Personal correspondence, 1500s (approx.)
Experience is valued over literary skill; practical knowledge guides expression more reliably than theory.
In simple terms: Experience beats theory.
Key Takeaway
Trust practical experience.
Themes
experience
knowledge
humility
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- teaching
- creative work
- problem solving
Key Concepts
epistemology
craftsmanship
Questions to Reflect On
- When should theory guide practice?
- How to verify experience reliability?
A Different Perspective
Experience may be subjective and not universally applicable.
![“[E]very man hath liberty to write, but few ability. Heretofore learning was graced by judicious scholars, but now noble sciences are vilified by base and illiterate scribblers, that either write for vain-glory, need, to get money, or as Parasites to flatter and collogue with some great men, they…” quote by Robert Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/792/robert-burton-10069_books_e-very-man-hath-liberty-to-write-but-few_213260.jpg)
![“I never knew any man who had once tasted the sweetness of experimental knowledge, that ever afterward fasted after ye Vapour garlick and onions of phantasmatical seeming philosophy." [William Petty]” quote by Carl Zimmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e5a/carl-zimmer-16331_knowledge_i-never-knew-any-man-who-had-once-tasted_1770.jpg)
