Thread: The Razor - by Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci was an universal genius, maybe the greatest of all times.
Not so well known is that he was also a poet……. (and for sure a razor user)

A Fable

One fine day, when the razor came out of its handle which served as ist sheat, and lay down by the window, it saw the sun reflecting in its body.
It felt a tremendous pride and splendour within itself and, thinking of its craft, it said to itself: "I never want to go back to the place from which I came! May the gods prevent my glorious beauty from being so degraded!
What madness to shave the soapy beards of stupid peasants - what servant's work! Is this beautiful body made for this? Oh, by God, no! I will hide myself hidden in the scales and spend my life there in quiet peace."

And having thus remained hidden for some months, one day it came out into the air, and issuing from his sheath, saw himself turned to the similitude of a rusty saw while his surface no longer reflected the resplendent sun.
In vain was now the remorse and useless the lamentation. " Oh! How far better it would have been to practise my keen, now spoiled edge at the barber's! Where is that splendid surface? It has been consumed by this vexatious and unsightly rust.”

Lesson: It will be much the same for those who indulge in idleness instead of working. Like the razor, they will lose their keen edge, and the rust of idleness and ignorance will corrupt their form. Verily, he who rests, rusts!


To be found in „The notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci“


Reading those strophes, you may surely believe - his razor must have laid opened on the window sill, the sun shining through the window, reflecting on the blade and inspired Leonardo in writing these fabel.

Have a nice Sunday and a pleasant shave!
Peter