Michael Angelo had a most retentive memory, so that although he has painted so many thousand figures, as may be seen, he has never made one like to another, or in the same pose; indeed, I have heard him say that if ever he draws a line which he remembers to have drawn before, he rubs it out if it is to come before the public.

He has also a most powerful imagination, from whence it comes, firstly, that he is little contented with his work, his hand not appearing to carry out the ideas he has conceived in his mind.

And, secondly, from the same cause (as often happens to those who lead a peaceful and contemplative life), he has always been somewhat timid; saving only when a just indignation against some wrong or lapse of duty to himself or to others moves him, then he plucks up more spirit than those who are held to be courageous; otherwise he is of a most patient disposition.

Of his modesty it is not possible to say as much as he deserves; and so also of his manners, and his ways, they are seasoned with pleasantries and sharp sayings: for instance, his conversation at Bologna with a certain gentleman, who, seeing the mere largeness and mass of the bronze statue Michael Angelo had made, marvelled and said: "_Which do you suppose to be the larger, this statue or a pair of oxen ?_" To whom Michael Angelo replied: "_It is according to the oxen you mean; if it be these of Bologna doubtless they are much larger; if ours of Florence they are much smaller._"(57) So also when Il Francia, who was at that time thought to be an Apelles in Bologna, came to see that same statue and said: "_This is a beautiful bronze_," it seemed to Michael Angelo that he was praising the metal and not the form, so he laughingly replied: "_If this be beautiful bronze, I must thank Pope Julius for it, who gave it to me, as you have to thank the apothecaries who provide your colours_." And another day, seeing the child of Francia, who was a very beautiful boy: "_My son,_" said he, "_your father makes better living pictures than painted ones._" LXIX.

Michael Angelo is of a good complexion; his figure rather sinuous and bony than fleshy and fat; healthy above all by nature, as well as by the use of exercise and his continence of life and moderation in taking food; nevertheless, as a child he was feeble and sickly, and as a man he had two illnesses.