“Experience does not err. Only your judgments err by expecting from her what is not in her power.”
- April 15, 1452 – May 2, 1519
- Italian
- A versatile man (painter, sculptor, architect, inventor, scientist, etc.)
- He created many works of art, including the paintings “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper,” and also left behind many pioneering ideas in science and engineering, such as “blueprints for airplanes” and “anatomical studies.”
Quote
“Experience does not err. Only your judgments err by expecting from her what is not in her power.”
Explanation
In this quote, Leonardo da Vinci asserts that experience itself is always reliable—it presents facts and lessons as they are. The error lies not in experience, but in the judgments we make about it. When we expect experience to provide outcomes or answers that are beyond its capacity, our expectations become the source of error. In other words, experience can only offer us the raw data and results of actions, but it cannot predict or fulfill expectations that go beyond the realm of what can be learned from it. The mistake comes when we impose false assumptions or unrealistic hopes onto our experiences, which can distort our understanding.
Historically, this idea reflects Da Vinci’s scientific approach to learning, where he believed in observing and documenting the world as it is, rather than making assumptions about it. Da Vinci’s work in anatomy, engineering, and art was driven by a curiosity that was grounded in what could actually be observed and experienced, free from preconceived judgments. He understood that true understanding comes from what is actually present in experience, not from what we want it to be.
In modern terms, this quote speaks to the importance of realistic expectations in both personal development and professional endeavors. We may often expect quick results or outcomes that are beyond the scope of our experiences, but Da Vinci’s words remind us that we must align our expectations with what is possible within the context of our actual experiences. This principle applies across many fields—whether in education, career growth, or relationships—where growth and learning are continual processes that require patience and realistic understanding of what experience can truly offer. Da Vinci’s insight encourages us to take from our experiences what they have to offer and adjust our judgments to match what is achievable.
