The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci — Volume 1Leonardo, da Vinci
Philosophy
The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci — Volume 1
Leonardo, da Vinci
Leonardo, da Vinci, 1452-1519 -- Notebooks, sketchbooks, etc.
Hands into which
ducats and precious
stones fall like snow; they
never become tired by serving,
but this service is only for its
utility and not for our I am never weary
own benefit. of being useful.
Naturally
nature has so disposed me.
686.
This shall be placed in the
hand of Ingratitude.
Wood nourishes the fire that
consumes it.
687.
TO REPRESENT INGRATITUDE.
When the sun appears
which dispels darkness in
general, you put out the
light which dispelled it
for you in particular
for your need and convenience.
688.
On this side Adam and Eve on the other;
O misery of mankind, of how many things do
you make yourself the slave for money!
[Footnote: See PI. LXIV. The figures of Adam and Eve in the clouds
here alluded to would seem to symbolise their superiority to all
earthly needs.]
689.
Thus are base unions sundered.
[Footnote: A much blurred sketch is on the page by this text. It
seems to represent an unravelled plait or tissue.]
690.
Constancy does not begin, but is that
which perseveres.
[Footnote: A drawing in red chalk, also rubbed, which stands in the
original in the middle of this text, seems to me to be intended for
a sword hilt, held in a fist.]
691.
Love, Fear, and Esteem,--
Write these on three stones. Of servants.
692.
Prudence Strength.
693.
Fame alone raises herself to Heaven,
because virtuous things are in favour with God.
Disgrace should be represented upside
down, because all her deeds are contrary to
God and tend to hell.
694.
Short liberty.
695.
Nothing is so much to be feared as Evil
Report.
This Evil Report is born of life.
696.
Not to disobey.
697.
A felled tree which is shooting
again.
I am still hopeful.
A falcon,
Time.
[Footnote: I. _Albero tagliato_. This emblem was displayed during
the Carnival at Florence in 1513. See VASARI VI, 251, ed. MILANESI
1881. But the coincidence is probably accidental.]
698.
Truth here makes Falsehood torment
lying tongues.
699.
Such as harm is when it hurts me not,
is good which avails me not.
[Footnote: See PI. LX, No. 2. Compare this sketch with that on PI.
LXII, No. 2. Below the two lines of the text there are two more
lines: _li gùchi (giunchi) che ritégò le paglucole (pagliucole)
chelli (che li) anniegano_.]
700.
He who offends others, does not secure himself.
[Footnote: See PI. LX, No. 3.]
701.
Ingratitude.
[Footnote: See PI. LX, No. 4. Below the bottom sketches are the
unintelligible words "_sta stilli_." For "_Ingratitudo_" compare
also Nos. 686 and 687.]
702.
One's thoughts turn towards Hope.
[Footnote: 702. By the side of this passage is a sketch of
a cage with a bird sitting in it.]
Ornaments and Decorations for feasts (703-705).
703.
A bird, for a comedy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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