“He could quite quickly become detached from the nuances of common human emotion. Particularly if he was engaged in some aspect of a scientific problem or research. His work excluded any consideration for the feelings of those around him. And he rarely excused himself or justified his behavior. It was as if he was compelled to focus all his energy on one subject and was unaware that others did not follow his obsession.” ObsessionDissectionLeonardo Da VinciMatteoPost Mortem Book:The Medici Seal Source: The Medici Seal
“She looked... She looked young, and- and--" I glanced down at Rossana gazing up at me, lips parted, eyes shining, her hair loose around her shoulders, and the next words I spoke were intended with no artifice at all. "She is almost as beautiful as you." There was laughter, and I looked up, confused. "If you wish to pay court to my daughter, Matteo, you must first speak to me," Captain dell'Orte said in mock severity. Rossana's face colored pink. "Elizabetta is also very beautiful," I said quickly, thinking to cover any embarassment, but also because it was true. The adults roared with laughter. "Now Matteo seeks to woo both girls with one compliment.” HumorBeautifulLeonardo Da VinciMatteoTen Year Old Boy Book:The Medici Seal Source: The Medici Seal
“Being illegitimate is a technicality. It does not mean that there is anything wrong with you. Men use "bastard" as a curse. But to use the term thus is to show that they themselves are less than a proper human being.” ChildrenValue Of LifeLeonardo Da VinciMatteoBastards Book:The Medici Seal Source: The Medici Seal
“The Maestro spoke again. "When we are not, at what point do we become?" I could not reply. For I had grasped no shape of his thoughts. I understood neither what he said nor his intent behind it.” LifeUnderstandingExistenceDissectionLeonardo Da VinciMatteoPost Mortem Book:The Medici Seal Source: The Medici Seal
“I peered at his writing, but I could make nothing of it. Then I saw why, and my soul chilled like marble. His writing was running left to right. Not the words in reverse order, but the letter themselves. All of it. It was mirror writing- to be read by the Devil.” Left HandLeonardo Da VinciMatteoMirror Writing Book:The Medici Seal Source: The Medici Seal
“This was not completely true. I had run so fast that I still had a stitch in my side, but I did not want to be left out of their confraternity of guilt.” Leonardo Da VinciMatteoConfraternity Of Guilt Book:The Medici Seal Source: The Medici Seal
