A Disciple Of Experience

It is said that what we learned from the 4,000 pages of original manuscripts of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks is that he knew a lot, and he also learned a lot. He learned from asking questions. Leonardo said of himself that he was “a disciple of experience.” This statement reflected his belief in the importance of learning through direct observation and hands-on practice. He valued experiential knowledge over theoretical understanding, suggesting that true mastery comes from engaging with the world, experimenting, and drawing insights from real-life situations.

Leonardo’s approach involved meticulous observation of nature, human anatomy, and various crafts, allowing him to accumulate wisdom that informed his artistic and scientific work. In essence, he emphasized that experience is a crucial teacher, and by embracing it, one can gain deeper insights and develop a more profound understanding of complex subjects. This ethos is evident in his diverse interests and contributions across art, science, engineering, and pretty much every discipline.

Byron's Babbles