Experience never errs; it is only your judgments that err by promising themselves effects such as are not caused by your experiments.

The quote by Leonardo da Vinci expresses a profound understanding of the relationship between experience and judgment. He asserts that experience itself never errs because it is based on actual observations and experiments. However, it is the judgments or interpretations we make from those experiences that can be flawed, especially when we expect results that do not logically follow from what the experiments actually show.

Leonardo da Vinci, the renowned Renaissance artist and polymath, was deeply invested in both scientific inquiry and artistic observation. This quote reflects his methodical approach to learning through experimentation and careful observation of the natural world. He recognized that while empirical evidence is reliable, human errors often come from misinterpretations or false assumptions about what the evidence means or should produce.

The origin of this quote is tied to Leonardo’s notebooks and writings, where he meticulously documented his observations and experiments. His emphasis on experience over theory was revolutionary at the time and laid groundwork for the modern scientific method. By separating the data from personal bias or faulty conclusions, he encouraged a more accurate and humble approach to knowledge.

In summary, da Vinci’s quote serves as a reminder that truth is found in careful, repeated experience, but wisdom lies in correctly interpreting that experience. It cautions against overconfidence in our judgments and highlights the importance of aligning expectations with actual evidence.