Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding» (Proverbs 4:7).
WISDOM
Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452, in Vinci (Italy). He was the illegitimate son of a nobleman, although during his childhood he was treated as a legitimate son. In his father’s house he received his first educational training: he learned to read and took arithmetic lessons. From a very young age he was very interested in nature, and also began to draw very creatively. One day, his father showed his drawings to one of his friends: Andrea del Verrocchio, who had an art studio. The man was surprised when he saw young Leonardo’s talent and invited him to work in his studio. There, the restless young man had the opportunity to acquire skills in chemistry, metal working, mechanics, carpentry, drawing, painting, sculpting, as well as plaster and leather jobs. He also studied algorithmic calculus. His passion for knowledge took him very far in life. Leonardo became an anatomist, architect, paleontologist, botanist, musician, inventor, poet, urbanist and painter. That’s how he made important progress in projects such as the bicycle, the aerial screw (helicopter), the glider, the automobile, the calculator, the compass, scuba gear, the triple barrel cannon, the self-supporting bridge, the crossbow and the parachute, among many other things.
I’ll never forget that morning in the Louvre Museum in Paris (France), where I stood in front of La Gioconda. Deep emotions ran through my body. I stood there for several minutes, seduced by the Mona Lisa’s serene gaze. People gathered all around me to view the famous work of art. At that moment I thought there were few people in this world like artists, whose works transcended the passage of time, and who greatly influenced the building of society. Leonardo did many paintings. Some of his most well-known works of art, in addition to La Gioconda, are The Last Supper, The Virgin of the Rocks, St. John the Baptist and The Vitruvian Man. Yes, almost five centuries after his death, Leonardo da Vinci’s works still influence people’s lives.
How was this man able to be so productive in his passage through this world? The answer is simple: by making the best use of time. Intelligence is worth nothing when life isn’t managed in the best way. Many brilliant young people waste their time in an appalling way. They won’t get very far that way.
Do you want to be a successful professional? Ask God today to help you make the best use of your time and prioritize reading good books. I assure you; it works!