Be kind – we never know where the next Leonardo is lurking

By Alec Hogg

Older people have a habit of assuming age bestows automatic superiority. The really wise among us, however, realise that's a fallacy.

We can all learn from the example of the great florentine artist Verrocchio. In his immortal painting The Baptism of Christ, the contribution by his young apprentice so outshone the master's work that Verrocchio never painted again.

Not everyone is blessed with the opportunity to "teach" a Leonardo da Vinci, but one never knows. Be kind. Today's student may be tomorrow's icon.