"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it."
Michelangelo
Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Poet
Michelangelo was a Renaissance artist known for his sculptures, paintings, and architectural works, including the iconic David and the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
- Born
- March 6, 1475
- Died
- February 18, 1564
- Quotes
- 148
- Rank
- #523
About Michelangelo
Michelangelo — Life and Legacy
Michelangelo Buonarroti, a central figure of the Renaissance, is celebrated for his exceptional contributions to art, particularly in sculpture and painting. His masterpieces, such as the statue of David and the frescoes on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, showcase his unparalleled skill and deep understanding of human anatomy. Michelangelo's philosophy centered on the belief that art should reflect divine beauty and truth, as seen in his quote, 'Art is a shadow of divine perfection.' This perspective not only guided his artistic endeavors but also challenged contemporary norms, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. His quotes often reveal a profound dedication to the craft, as exemplified by his assertion, 'If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all.' This statement reflects his understanding that mastery is achieved through relentless effort and perseverance, rather than mere talent. Michelangelo's work is imbued with a sense of spiritual aspiration, where he viewed the artist's role as one of discovery, as articulated in his famous line, 'I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.' Today, Michelangelo's quotes and ideas continue to resonate, inspiring artists and thinkers to pursue their passions with the same intensity and vision. His legacy endures not just through his physical works, but also through the intellectual and emotional impact of his thoughts on creativity and the human experience.
Quote collection
Michelangelo quotes (page 1 of 8)
148 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Your gifts lie in the place where your values, passions and strengths meet. Discovering that place is the first step toward sculpting your masterpiece, Your Life."
"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."
"The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark."
"To know each other is the best way to understand each other. To understand each other is the only way to love each other."
"I created a vision of David in my mind and simply carved away everything that was not David."
"Do not fret, for God did not create us to abandon us."
"If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all."
"Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it."
"Perfection is no small thing, but it is made up of small things."
"A man paints with his brains and not with his hands."
"In every block of marble I see a statue as plain as though it stood before me, shaped and perfect in attitude and action. I have only to hew away the rough walls that imprison the lovely apparition to reveal it to the other eyes as mine see it."
"The idea is there locked inside. All you have to do is remove the excess stone."
"Your greatness is measured by your horizons."
"The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection."
"Painters are not in any way unsociable through pride, but either because they find few pursuits equal to painting, or in order not to corrupt themselves with the useless conversation of idle people, and debase the intellect from the lofty imaginations in which they are always absorbed."
"Only God creates. The rest of us just copy."
"So take care of your life and take notice and be observant, for the number of widows is always far greater than the number of widowers."
"The greatest risk to man is not that he aims to high and misses, but that he aims to low and hits."
"Every beauty which is seen here by persons of perception resembles more than anything else that celestial source from which we all are come."