So far as hypotheses are concerned, let no one expect anything certain from astronomy, which cannot furnish it, lest he accept as the truth ideas conceived for another purpose, and depart from this study a greater fool than when he…

Quote by Nicolaus Copernicus

Topics: Nicolaus Copernicus Quotes

I can easily conceive, most Holy Father, that as soon as some people learn that...

I can easily conceive, most Holy Father, that as soon as some people learn that...

For I am not so enamoured of my own opinions that I disregard what others...

For I am not so enamoured of my own opinions that I disregard what others...

Although all the good arts serve to draw man's mind away from vices and lead...

Although all the good arts serve to draw man's mind away from vices and lead...

First of all, we must note that the universe is spherical.

First of all, we must note that the universe is spherical.

Yet if anyone believes that the earth rotates, surely he will hold that its motion...

Yet if anyone believes that the earth rotates, surely he will hold that its motion...

The massive bulk of the earth does indeed shrink to insignificance in comparison with the...

The massive bulk of the earth does indeed shrink to insignificance in comparison with the...

The earth also is spherical, since it presses upon its center from every direction.

The earth also is spherical, since it presses upon its center from every direction.

Not a few other very eminent and scholarly men made the same request, urging that...

Not a few other very eminent and scholarly men made the same request, urging that...

Moreover, since the sun remains stationary, whatever appears as a motion of the sun is...

Moreover, since the sun remains stationary, whatever appears as a motion of the sun is...

For it is the duty of an astronomer to compose the history of the celestial...

For it is the duty of an astronomer to compose the history of the celestial...

I am aware that a philosopher's ideas are not subject to the judgment of ordinary...

I am aware that a philosopher's ideas are not subject to the judgment of ordinary...

Those things which I am saying now may be obscure, yet they will be made...

Those things which I am saying now may be obscure, yet they will be made...

So, influenced by these advisors and this hope, I have at length allowed my friends...

So, influenced by these advisors and this hope, I have at length allowed my friends...

More stars in the north are seen not to set, while in the south certain...

More stars in the north are seen not to set, while in the south certain...

In so many and such important ways, then, do the planets bear witness to the...

In so many and such important ways, then, do the planets bear witness to the...

Finally we shall place the Sun himself at the center of the Universe.

Finally we shall place the Sun himself at the center of the Universe.

At rest, however, in the middle of everything is the sun.

At rest, however, in the middle of everything is the sun.

Accordingly, since nothing prevents the earth from moving, I suggest that we should now consider...

Accordingly, since nothing prevents the earth from moving, I suggest that we should now consider...

Therefore, in the course of the work I have followed this plan: I describe in...

Therefore, in the course of the work I have followed this plan: I describe in...

We regard it as a certainty that the earth, enclosed between poles, is bounded by...

We regard it as a certainty that the earth, enclosed between poles, is bounded by...