Leonardo's perfectionism was a liability; he only completed about 12 paintings because he believed more brushstrokes could always perfect the work—and even finished paintings like the Mona Lisa were never delivered to their original commissioners because he kept them, always believing more could be improved.

causalpending

Speaker

Walter Isaacson

Evidence Quote

he keeps thinking there's more and more brushstrokes i can put on it to make it more perfect

Source

What You Can Learn From History's Greatest Innovators | Walter Isaacson | The Knowledge Project 121The Knowledge Project Podcast
Created: 8/12/2026, 10:30:56 PM

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