Ancora Imparo!

The Italian sculptor, painter, and architect Michelangelo was a true "Renaissance man" in every sense of the word.  First (and perhaps most importantly), Michelangelo lived during the High Renassiance period, that period of time from about 1490 to 1520 when painting, architecture, poetry, and sculpture flourished in Italy (then known as the Italian states).  Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo are the most well-known artists of this period, and the term "Renaissance man" (or "Renaissance woman"), also known as a polymath is used to describe individuals whose knowledge and expertise spans a wide range of subjects, such as art, science, and mathematics.  

Michelangelo was definitely one of the greatest artists during his lifetime, and he is widely considered one of the greatest artists of all time.  And yet, he famously uttered the phrase, "Ancora Imparo" at the age of 87, which roughly translates to "Still, I am learning" in Italian.  Whether he truly said it or not is debated, but regardless, the mere fact that one of the greatest artists of all time publicly admitted that he didn't know everything is truly remarkable.  

It reminds me of the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, who defined wisdom as the understanding that we actually know very little about the world.  He once said of another individual, "I am wiser than that man. Neither of us probably knows anything worthwhile; but he thinks he does when he does not, and I do not and do not think I do."  Putting both of these concepts together, the only path to true wisdom is to never stop learning!  There are all kinds of opportunities to broaden our base of knowledge, particularly today.  There is simply no excuse anymore.  Never stop learning.