Leonardo da Vinci Quotes
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He who offends others, does not secure himself.
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The painter strives and competes with nature.
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A dark object seen against a bright background will appear smaller than it is. A light object will look larger when it is seen against a background darker than itself.
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The atmosphere is blue by reason of the darkness above it because black and white make blue.
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It is ill to praise, and worse to reprimand in matters that you do not understand.
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To speak well of a base man is much the same as speaking ill of a good man.
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A single and distinct luminous body causes stronger relief in the object than a diffused light; as may be seen by comparing one side of a landscape illuminated by the sun, and one overshadowed by clouds, and so illuminated only by the diffused light of the atmosphere.
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Represent your figures in such action as may be fitted to express what purpose is in the mind of each; otherwise your art will not be admirable.
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He who walks straight rarely falls.
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Reserve the great matters till the end, and the small matters give at the beginning.
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Many have made a trade of delusions and false miracles, deceiving the stupid multitude. Pharisees - that is to say, friars.
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What is fair in men, passes away, but not so in art.
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Just as eating against one’s will is injurious to health, so studying without a liking for it spoils the memory, and it retains nothing it takes in.1
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Our body is dependent on heaven and heaven on the Spirit.
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The cock does not crow till it has thrice flapped its wings; the parrot in moving among boughs never puts its feet excepting where it has first put its beak. Vows are not made till Hope is dead.
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A point is not part of a line.
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Shadow is the diminution alike of light and of darkness, and stands between darkness and light.
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To manage the large mould make a model of the small mould, make a small room in proportion.
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Truth was the only daughter of Time.
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Mechanics is the paradise of the mathematical sciences because by means of it one comes to the fruits of mathematics.
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When you represent in your work shadows which you can only discern with difficulty, and of which you cannot distinguish the edges so that you apprehend them confusedly, you must not make them sharp or definite lest your work should have a wooden effect.
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Sculptured figures which appear in motion, will, in their standing position, actually look as if they were falling forward.
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A man was desired to rise from bed, because the sun was already risen. To which he replied: 'If I had as far to go, and as much to do as he has, I should be risen by now; but having but a little way to go, I shall not rise yet.'
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It is easier to contend with evil at the first than at the last.