There are days, aren’t there, when you stare at that grid, a single, stubborn blank mocking you from the middle of an otherwise pristine solution. That one elusive crossword clue, just sitting there, defying every attempt to coax an answer out of your brain. You’ve run through synonyms, tried every permutation of letters, even resorted to a quick, furtive glance at related entries you
did
manage to solve. And still, nothing. You walk away, come back an hour later, maybe even the next day, hoping a fresh perspective will crack it. Sometimes it does, and that triumphant “aha!” moment is pure gold. Other times… well, other times, you simply have to admit defeat, at least for the moment. The unsolved puzzle, a testament to the persistent challenge of a truly great crossword clue.
This feeling, this push and pull between striving for completion and the quiet acknowledgment of an insurmountable obstacle, brings to mind one of history’s most profound observations. It’s a quote attributed to none other than the Renaissance polymath, Leonardo da Vinci himself: “___ is never finished, only abandoned.”
What a statement, isn’t it? It transcends the mere act of creating. It speaks to the human condition, to our relentless pursuit of perfection, our grand ambitions, and the eventual, often reluctant, surrender to reality or new priorities. Da Vinci, a man who famously left many works unfinished, perhaps understood this more deeply than anyone. His notebooks are filled with incredible ideas, designs, and sketches that were never fully realized. Were they abandoned, or simply paused indefinitely, waiting for a future that might never come? For anyone grappling with a tough crossword clue, that sentiment can feel incredibly relatable.
Think about it in the context of any grand undertaking. A monumental work of literature, a complex piece of music, an intricate invention, a groundbreaking scientific theory – how many of these truly feel
finished
to their creators? There’s always another detail to refine, another perspective to explore, another layer to add. The artist might always see room for one more brushstroke, the writer another edit, the inventor another tweak. It’s a perpetual state of becoming, where the line between “done” and “abandoned” becomes incredibly blurry. Sometimes, it’s not for lack of desire or skill, but simply the sheer breadth of the vision that makes true completion an impossible dream. This idea applies perfectly to the relentless pursuit of a tricky crossword clue, too.
For the dedicated solver, this quote resonates on a surprisingly deep level. How many times have you been staring down a cryptic crossword clue, feeling like you’re making progress, understanding snippets, yet the full solution remains stubbornly out of reach? Do you press on indefinitely, or do you, at some point, decide it’s time to set it aside? Is a crossword puzzle truly “finished” when every square is filled, or merely “abandoned” by the solver who has moved on, perhaps to the next daily challenge? The pursuit of the perfect solution for every crossword clue can be a never-ending quest.
Da Vinci’s words serve as a powerful reminder that sometimes, the journey itself, the process of creation, problem-solving, or even just grappling with a particularly vexing crossword clue, is the true masterpiece. The act of engaging with the challenge, of pushing the boundaries of what you know and can achieve, holds immense value, regardless of whether a perfect, definitive “finish” is ever truly attained. It’s about the effort, the learning, and the growth that happens along the way. So, the next time a stubborn crossword clue has you stumped, perhaps consider Da Vinci’s perspective. Maybe it’s not about finishing, but about the beautiful, challenging process of engaging with it, before you decide to move on.
Available Answers:
ART.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Universal Crossword – Raising the Temperature By Adam Simpson