My Experiments in the Practice of Everyday Life

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A quotation from Leonardo da Vinci.

LeonardoI just discovered something fascinating.

For years, I’ve been haunted by an illuminating observation by Leonardo da Vinci: “Intellectual passion drives our sensuality.”

Well, in checking the quotation for this post, I discovered that all these years, I’ve been pondering something I mis-typed years ago. The actual quotation is “Intellectual passion drives out sensuality.” Exactly the opposite meaning.

Ah, I think my version is far superior. I’ve improved on Leonardo.

  • Nxqd3051990

    I’m not US people, can you explain clearly the meaning of this quotation :)
    Thanks much ;)

  • http://www.fracat.com Daniel R. Sweet

    How about this – I think you’re both right. Just using different definitions.
    In DaVinci’s time, “sensuality” had more of the meaning of “a life being ruled by base passions” or, more succinctly, “a complete lack of self-control”.
    I’m pretty sure that’s not what you meant…
    Dan

  • http://www.myspace.com/lafrear Cathryn

    HA! That is SO funny! It’s always weird to discover when one is mistaken as so.
    Both quotations are quite good and very true, it just depends on the person. I think that yours is better, though, because is applies more to the interesting among us. Whilst Leo’s means basically that being smart is a turn off. Pretty much that, if we are devoted to our work/studies, we cannot be the romantic type.
    Smart Is Sexy,
    —>Cathryn

  • peter vajda

    I like the original:
    all (intellectual, mental, cognitive, ) work and no play makes John and Jill dull folks…i.e, reduced libido and sensuality…in our culture today, many folks spend so much time in their heads, in intellectually, mentally, exhausting, and tiring pursuits, they find less time for matters sensual.
    As intellectual passion occurs from the neck up..folks begin to move further and further away from being in touch with their heart, their emotions, their sensuality…more’s the pity.
    Thus it’s no surprise to hear the lament, “Where’s the man/woman I married?!!!” Hmmmmm.

  • Sharyn

    This is funny, and interesting. Makes me wonder how much we hear or interpret something as we want or need to.
    Also reminds me of lots of people who heard Creedence Clearwater Revival singing “There’s a bathroom on the right” instead of “There’s a bad moon on the rise”!

  • http://enhancelifethinktank.blogspot.com Sham

    Hi
    Nice post. Some intersting comments as well ;-)
    Sham
    http://enhancelifethinktank.blogspot.com

  • rupert

    Leonardo doesn’t look very happy. Maybe he got it wrong for once.