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

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...

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 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...

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...

I shall now recall to mind that the motion of the heavenly bodies is circular,...

I shall now recall to mind that the motion of the heavenly bodies is circular,...

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...

Therefore I would not have it unknown to Your Holiness, the the only thing which...

Therefore I would not have it unknown to Your Holiness, the the only thing which...

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...

Mathematics is written for mathematicians.

Mathematics is written for mathematicians.

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

Near the sun is the center of the universe.

Near the sun is the center of the universe.

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...

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...

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...

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.

Those who know that the consensus of many centuries has sanctioned the conception that the...

Those who know that the consensus of many centuries has sanctioned the conception that the...