40 Michelangelo Quotes From The Iconic Italian Painter And Sculptor
Gallery
Michelangelo is a famous name that all and sundry are familiar with because of his achievements as a bona fide Renaissance artist, painter, and master sculptor.
A contemporary and rival of fellow painter Leonardo Da Vinci, his top achievements include the sculptures of Pietà and David, frescos of the Roman Sistine Chapel ceiling consisting of the scenes of Genesis, 'The Last Judgement', 'The Creation Of Adam', 'Madonna And Child', 'Bacchus', 'The Crucifixion Of St. Peter', 'Battle Of Centaurs', Nicodemas, 'Rondanini Pietà' and many more.
He was deemed as one of the most important painters and the greatest artist of all time because of his ability to move someone with his works.
Here is a list of some important Michelangelo quotes from his life about living and art, including his last words before he passed away.
If you like Michelangelo quotes, you can check out our other amazing articles like [Picasso quotes] and Monet quotes.
Life-Changing Michelangelo Quotes
Here is a list of some moving quotes by Michelangelo. These Michelangelo quotes are almost as special as his works of art.
1. "Genius is eternal patience."
-Michelangelo.
2. "If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all."
-Michelangelo.
3. "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.
4. "Dear to me is sleep: still more, being made of stone, while pain and guilt still linger here below, blindness and numbness--these please me alone; Then do not wake me, keep your voices low."
-Michelangelo.
5. "Draw, Antonio; draw, Antonio; draw and don’t waste time."
-Michelangelo.
6. "As you give out so shall you receive."
-Michelangelo.
7. "Critique by creating."
-Michelangelo.
8. "It is well with me only when I have a chisel in my hand."
-Michelangelo.
9. "They say that those who do good to the good make them
better, and to the bad, make them worse."
-Michelangelo, Letter To Brother Giovansimone.
10. "Self-negation is noble, self-culture is beneficent, self-possession is manly, but to the truly great and inspiring soul they are poor and tame compared to self-abuse."
-Michelangelo.
11. "Where I lack words I shall supply with deeds."
-Michelangelo, Letter To Brother Giovansimone.
12. "The noble heart finds most in starlike eyes."
-Michelangelo.
13. "The best artist has that thought alone which is contained within the marble shell; only the sculptor's hand can break the spell to free the figures."
-Michelangelo, Letter To His Father In Florence.
14. "Do not suffer, for God has not made us to abandon us."
-Michelangelo.
15.
"Attend to living, and let property go sooner than suffer discomforts, for I would rather have you alive and poor, because if you were dead, I wouldn’t care for all the gold in the world, and if those chirping crickets there [in Florence] or anyone else reproves you, let them talk, for they are ignorant men and without love."
-Michelangelo, Letter To His Father In Florence.
Beautiful Michelangelo Quotes About Life And Art
Lovers of art and architecture will love this list of Michelangelo quotes including angel quotes and sculpture quotes. These Michelangelo quotes will give you an insight into the great mind of the artist.
16. "Every beauty which is seen here by persons of perception resembles more than anything else that celestial source from which we all are come."
-Michelangelo.
17. "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."
-Michelangelo.
18. "Death and love are the two wings that bear the good man to heaven."
-Michelangelo.
19. "It is necessary to have patience, trust in God, and repent one’s errors, for these adversities come from nothing other than those, and especially from pride and ingratitude."
-Michelangelo.
20. "Read the heart and not the letter for the pen cannot draw near the good intent."
-Michelangelo.
21. "Attend to living; and if you can’t have the honors of the country as the other citizens do, let it suffice you to have bread and live virtuously in Christ and poorly."
-Michelangelo.
22. "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."
-Michelangelo.
23. "Take care of yourself, and watch out for those you have to watch out for, for one does not die more than once, and nobody returns to put right the things done wrong."
-Michelangelo, To His Father.
24. "I believe there are many poor and noble families in Florence with whom it would be a charity to become allied, even if there were no dowry, because there would also be no pride."
-Michelangelo on Marriage, Letter To Lionardo.
25. "Why do you send fools to judge my work?"
-Michelangelo.
26. "The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection."
-Michelangelo.
27. "With few words I shall make thee understand my soul."
-Michelangelo.
29. "A man paints with his brains and not with his hands."
-Michelangelo.
30. "Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it."
-Michelangelo.
Michelangelo Quotes About Success
If you are looking for an inspirational quote by Michelangelo, here's a list of some wholesome Michelangelo quotes on finding success. These Michelangelo quotes will show you that even those who have accomplished amazing things have been through tough times and are still learning.
31. "It is necessary to keep one 's compass in one 's eyes and not in the hand, for the hands execute, but the eye judges."
-Michelangelo.
32. "After four tortured years, more than 400 over life-sized figures, I felt as old and as weary as Jeremiah. I was only 37, yet friends did not recognize the old man I had become."
-Michelangelo.
33. "A beautiful thing never gives so much pain as does failing to hear and see it."
-Michelangelo.
34. "Trifles make perfection, but perfection is no trifle."
-Michelangelo.
35. "Lord, grant that I may always desire more than I can accomplish."
-Michelangelo.
36. "Beauty is the purgation of superfluities."
-Michelangelo.
37. "Faith in oneself is the best and safest course."
-Michelangelo.
38. "Ancora imparo"
Meaning: "I am still learning"
-Michelangelo, ("Ancora imparo" were his last words).
39. "My soul can find no staircase to heaven unless it be through earth's loveliness."
-Michelangelo.
40. "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."
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Michelangelo quotes then why not take a look at painting quotes and Matisse quotes.
Main image credit: PhotoFires / Shutterstock.com
Article image credit:Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com
We Want Your Photos!
More for You
See All
Bachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English
Rajnandini RoychoudhuryBachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English
With a Master of Arts in English, Rajnandini has pursued her passion for the arts and has become an experienced content writer. She has worked with companies such as Writer's Zone and has had her writing skills recognized by publications such as The Telegraph. Rajnandini is also trilingual and enjoys various hobbies such as music, movies, travel, philanthropy, writing her blog, and reading classic British literature.
Disclaimer
1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.
