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

Mathematics is written for mathematicians.

Mathematics is written for mathematicians.

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...

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...

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.

Of all things visible, the highest is the heaven of the fixed stars.

Of all things visible, the highest is the heaven of the fixed stars.

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

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

Therefore, having obtained the opportunity from these sources, I too began to consider the mobility...

Therefore, having obtained the opportunity from these sources, I too began to consider the mobility...

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.

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 earth together with its surrounding waters must in fact have such a shape as...

The earth together with its surrounding waters must in fact have such a shape as...

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...

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...

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 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...

Near the sun is the center of the universe.

Near the sun is the center of the universe.

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...

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...

Therefore, when I considered this carefully, the contempt which I had to fear because of...

Therefore, when I considered this carefully, the contempt which I had to fear because of...

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...

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...