"من خدا و بشریت را رنجانده‌ام چون کارم به کیفیتی که باید نرسید."

The core of this quote is a deep expression of regret. It’s about feeling like you’ve let down both a higher power and people around you because your efforts didn’t meet the standards you set for yourself. You’re talking about the sting of falling short, and it hits doubly hard when you think you’ve disappointed not just yourself but others too.

This quote comes from Leonardo da Vinci, one of the most revered polymaths in history. Near the end of his life, despite all his incredible achievements in art, science, and engineering, he felt he hadn’t done enough. Imagine that—Leonardo da Vinci, the genius behind the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, feeling like his work wasn’t good enough. That’s some heavy self-criticism, right? But it also shows a relentless drive for excellence—and maybe a bit of the burden that comes with being a perfectionist.

Now, let's bring this idea to life with a real-world example. Think about an Olympic athlete who’s trained their whole life for the gold medal. Picture someone like Michael Phelps. He’s won a staggering number of medals, more than anyone else in history. But imagine if, after all that, he said, “I could’ve done better.” It’s almost unthinkable, yet it’s not far from the truth for many high achievers. They set the bar so high for themselves that even monumental success can feel like a missed mark.

So, how can you apply this wisdom to your own life? First, embrace the pursuit of excellence, but don’t let it paralyze you. It’s great to aim high, but remember that perfection can be an elusive goal. Accept that sometimes good enough is, indeed, good enough. Next, try to balance self-criticism with self-compassion. Be your own toughest critic, sure, but also be your own biggest supporter.

Imagine this scenario: You’re working on a big project at work. You’ve put in countless hours, sacrificed weekends, and poured your heart into it. When you present it, your boss and colleagues are impressed, but all you can think about are the minor flaws. That’s the da Vinci dilemma right there. In this moment, it’s crucial to step back and see the bigger picture. Sure, there’s always room for improvement, but don’t lose sight of what you’ve achieved. Celebrate the milestones, no matter how small they seem.

Think of a time when you baked a cake. You followed the recipe to a T, but when you took it out of the oven, it wasn’t as fluffy as you hoped. Your friends and family loved it—they couldn’t stop raving about how delicious it was. Yet, you couldn’t shake off that nagging feeling that it should’ve been better. This is the perfect moment to practice gratitude and acceptance. Your cake made people happy. Isn’t that what matters?

In the end, this quote reminds us that even the most accomplished individuals have their doubts. It’s a call to strive for greatness but also a gentle nudge to be kind to ourselves. We’re all works in progress, and sometimes, our best work is simply the work we’ve already done.