If people knew how hard I had to work to gain my mastery, it wouldn’t seem so wonderful at all.
—Michelangelo
Topics: Mastery, Work, People, Excellence
Trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle.
—Michelangelo
The marble not yet carved can hold the form of every thought the greatest artist has.
—Michelangelo
Topics: Art
Beauty is the purgation of superfluities.
—Michelangelo
Topics: Beauty
The promises of this world are, for the most part, vain phantoms; and to confide in one’s self, and become something of worth and value is the best and safest course.
—Michelangelo
Topics: Self-Discovery, Assurance, Promises, Confidence
Genius is eternal patience.
—Michelangelo
Topics: Genius, Creativity, Patience, Resilience
Lord, grant that I may always desire more than I can accomplish.
—Michelangelo
Patience is eternal genius.
—Michelangelo
Criticize by creating.
—Michelangelo
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.
—Michelangelo
Topics: Attitude
The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss, but that our aim is too low and we reach it.
—Michelangelo
Topics: Ideal, Aspirations, Goals
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.
—Michelangelo
Topics: Goals, Achievement, Risk
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Leonardo da Vinci Italian Polymath
James Abbott McNeill Whistler American Painter, Etcher
William Hogarth English Painter, Engraver
Pablo Picasso Spanish Painter
Georges Braque French Painter
Dante Alighieri Italian Poet, Philosopher
Luciano Pavarotti Italian Musician
Thomas Aquinas Italian Catholic Priest
Galileo Galilei Italian Astronomer
Sophia Loren Italian Actor