The 70 best quotes of Nicolaus Copernicus
Nicholas Copernicus was a Polish-Prussian astronomer, physicist, and mathematician. He was a prominent figure of the Renaissance period, after raising his heliocentric theory, which states that both the Earth and the other planets actually revolve around the Sun. Leading him to be part of the call: 'Scientific Revolution'.
- We recommend you read: "The 100 best phrases (and reflections) of Carl Sagan"
Best quotes from Copernicus
Despite not being fully accepted by other scientists or by the church, he continued his work until the end of his days. For this reason, we bring a compilation with the best quotes and reflections of Nicolás Copernicus.
1. Every light has its shadow, and every shadow has a morning after.
Light always breaks through.
2. Because I'm not so enamored of my own opinions that I ignore what others might think of them.
Having an open mind allows us to learn things from other people.
3. Nations are not ruined by a single act of violence, but gradually and almost imperceptibly by the depreciation of their circulating currency, by its excessive amount.
His opinion by which nations lose their glory.
4. Nature never does anything superfluous, nothing useless, and knows how to derive multiple effects from a single cause.
Nature is very wise, only we are not able to listen to it completely.
5. First of all, we must know that the universe is spherical.
The way he perceived the universe in his theory.
6. As if seated on a royal throne, the Sun governs the family of planets that revolve around it.
A poetic way of proposing the theory that the planets revolve around the Sun.
7. The movement of the Earth alone is enough to explain so many apparent inequalities in the heavens.
Trying to explain the meaning of his heliocentric theory.
8. In addition, since the sun remains stationary, what appears as the movement of the sun is really due to the movement of the earth.
In his time, it was believed that the Sun revolved around the earth.
9. That no one expects anything certain from astronomy, since it offers us nothing certain.
Any type of science is changing, because every day we discover something new.
10. The Universe is created by an extremely good and orderly Creator.
Despite being a scientist, he never lost faith in him.
11. The sky of the fixed stars is the highest of what is visible.
Proposing that what was seen in the distance was the universe.
12. Now I will remember that the movement of the celestial bodies is circular, since the proper movement for a sphere is rotation in a circle.
He was the first to propose the circular motion of the Earth.
13. It is generally agreed among authorities that the Earth is at rest in the middle of the universe, and they consider it inconceivable and even ridiculous to hold the contrary opinion.
The unique and scientific opinion of his time, on the movement of the planet.
14. I am aware that the ideas of a philosopher are not subject to the judgment of ordinary people, because his effort is to seek the truth in all things, to the extent that human reason allows it God.
Bearing in mind that no opinion is absolute.
15. To know the mighty works of God, to comprehend his wisdom, majesty, and power; to appreciate, in degree, the marvelous working of its laws.
He always kept his religious beliefs in mind as part of the scientific explanation of him.
16. It necessarily follows that the equinoxes and solstices seem to anticipate their synchronization.
The seasons and equinoxes are also the work of the movement of our planet.
17. Consequently, since nothing prevents the earth from moving, I suggest that we now also consider whether several movements suit it, so that it can be considered as one of the planets.
Before, the belief was held that the Earth was unique and supreme in the universe.
18. The strongest affection and the greatest zeal should, I think, promote the studies that refer to the most beautiful objects.
The study should lead us to have motivation to investigate.
19. Because what could be more beautiful than the skies that contain all things beautiful.
An astronomer loves the mysteries that the heavens hide.
20. The things I am saying now may be obscure, but they will become clear in their rightful place.
Copernicus knew that his proposals were risky and would not have the proper reception.
21. Nor do these hypotheses need to be true, or even probable, but it is sufficient if they simply produce estimates that agree with the observations.
That is why research exists, to confirm or deny hypotheses.
22. All this is suggested by the system of procession of events and the harmony of the entire Universe, if we only face the facts, as they say, with our eyes wide open.
Things in the universe have a natural order.
23. In so many important ways, then, the planets testify to the mobility of the earth.
Proposing that the Earth was the same as the rest of the planets.
24. Trismegistus calls him a "visible God"; Sophocles' Electra, "that which contemplates all things". And so the sun, as if resting on a royal throne, governs the family of stars that revolve around it.
Talking about how different figures have described the Sun.
25. This is the discipline that deals with the divine revolutions of the universe, the movements of the stars, their sizes, their distances, their rising and setting...
A way of describing astronomy.
26. It is not the center of all revolutions.
Denying the leading role of our world in the universe.
27. The enormous mass of the earth dwindles in effect to insignificance compared to the size of the heavens.
Posing that, the universe is actually much vaster than the size of our world.
28. Surely all this must be a pleasing and acceptable mode of worship to the Most High, to whom ignorance cannot be more grateful than knowledge.
Trying to unite his discoveries with the power of God.
29. Contempt for the novelty and unconventionality of my opinion almost induced me to abandon entirely the work I had undertaken.
The unknown is scary and can tempt us to give up on something we want to do.
30. For every apparent change with respect to position is due to motion of the observed object, or of the observer, or even to an unequal change of both.
All changes that occur on the planet, such as the weather or the stars, are due to its rotation.
31. Arithmetic, geometry, optics, geodesy, mechanics, and any others, are offered at your service.
About the other sciences that work together with astronomy.
32. For a traveler going north from anywhere, the pole of the daily rotation gradually rises higher, while the opposite pole falls an equal amount.
Talking about how travelers can observe the consequences of the movement of the planet.
33. The equatorial circle moves to the west, at an angle to the ecliptic plane in proportion to the declination of the axis of the globe.
Talking about the role of the equator in the world.
34. The fact that none of these phenomena appear on the fixed stars shows their immense elevation, which makes even the circle of its annual movement or apparent movement disappear from our eyes.
Explaining why we cannot feel the movement of the planet.
35. If, by abandoning this discipline, someone takes for true what was made for another use, they will end up crazier than when they got into it.
Not everyone uses knowledge appropriately.
36. The earth together with its surrounding waters must, in fact, have such a shape as its shadow reveals, as it eclipses the moon with the arc of a perfect circle.
Proposing that the Earth is round.
37. Mathematics is written for mathematicians.
A very complex language that not everyone understands.
38. The ocean envelops the Earth and fills the deepest abysses of it.
The ocean is part of the life of the world.
39. Any movement that appears in the firmament does not arise from any movement of the firmament, but from the movement of the earth.
All the movements that are observed in the sky are caused by the rotation of the planet.
40. If by chance there are charlatans who, even though they are ignorant of all mathematics... dared to reject and attack this structuring of mine, I do not pay attention to them at all, to the point that I will condemn their judgment as reckless.
It is better to ignore the opinions of those who do not know you at all.
41. Knowing that we know what we know, and knowing that we don't know what we don't know, that is true knowledge.
It's being proud of what you know, but being humble with what you don't know.
42. Finally we will place the Sun itself at the center of the Universe.
The place that always should have.
43. The two revolutions, I mean the annual revolutions of the declination and the center of the Earth, are not completely the same.
Even the movements of the Earth are different from each other.
44. In the middle of everything is the Sun. Well, who in this beautiful temple would put this lamp in another better place, from which everything could be illuminated?
Flattering the role of the Sun, who offers us light and heat.
45. It is proper for an astronomer to establish a record of the movements of the heavens by diligent and skilful observations, and then think up and make laws for them.
The duty that is part of the life of every astronomer.
46. And so the sun, as if resting on a royal throne, rules over the family of stars that revolve around it.
Placing the Sun as the king of the planets that revolve around it.
47. The true laws cannot be reached by the use of reason; and from those assumptions, motions can be calculated correctly, both for the future and for the past.
Laws must be made for the benefit of all people.
48. What is more beautiful than the sky?
For an astronomer, it is the center of all beauty.
49. The movement of the earth can certainly produce the impression that the entire universe is spinning.
A misperception.
50. Because it is the duty of an astronomer to compose the history of celestial movements through careful and expert study.
Everything must be based on true facts.
51. In the first book I will describe all the positions of the spheres, together with the movements that I attribute to the Earth, so that the book contains, as it were, the general structure of the universe.
The way in which he begins to explain his theory.
52. Thus, if the value of the arts were measured by the matter with which they deal, this art - which some call astronomy, others astrology, and many of the ancient consummation of mathematics-would be by far the most outstanding.
Proud of the subject he chose to pursue.
53. Close to the sun is the center of the universe.
We now know that the universe is bigger than we can imagine.
54. I can easily conceive, Most Holy Father, that as soon as some people find out that in this book that I have written about the revolutions of celestial bodies, I attribute certain movements to the Earth, they will immediately exclaim that I and my theory must be rejected.
Preparing for the rejection of his theory for being different.
55. I hold that completely erroneous views should be avoided.
It's okay to doubt or leave questions, but never affirm something that is wrong.
56. It is seen that more stars in the north do not set, while in the south certain stars are no longer seen to rise.
The movement of the stars has helped various discoveries in science.
57. Astronomy is written for astronomers. To them my work will also appear, unless I am mistaken, to make some contribution.
He knew that his contributions would be more valuable in the future.
58. In the remaining books I relate the movements of the other stars, and of all the spheres, with the mobility of the Earth.
About how he would explain his heliocentric theory in his books.
59. So, influenced by these advisers and this hope, I finally allowed my friends to publish the work, as they had pleaded with me for a long time.
Which prompted him to publish his theory.
60. Not a few other very eminent and learned men made the same request, urging me no longer to refuse for fear of handing over my work for the common benefit of Mathematics students.
Although he was initially rejected, he was later encouraged to publish his studies.
61. But rather we must follow the wisdom of nature.
If we want to understand the environment, we just have to listen and understand it.
62. I took it upon myself to reread the books of all the philosophers I could get my hands on, to find out if any had conjectured that the movements of the spheres of the universe were different from those supposed by those who taught mathematics in the schools.
Looking for its pillars to support their own research.
63. However, if someone believes that the earth rotates, he will surely maintain that its movement is natural, not violent.
The planet rotates so subtly that we are not able to appreciate it.
64. This art, which is like the head of all the liberal arts and the most worthy of a free man, is supported by almost all other branches of mathematics.
Mathematics is the foundation of almost all sciences.
65. It is the duty of an astronomer to compose the history of celestial motions through careful and expert study.
Talking about the goal of every astronomer.
66. I do not want Your Holiness to be unaware that the only thing that led me to look for another way of calculating the movements of the celestial bodies was that he knew that mathematicians do not agree at all on their investigation.
Clarifying that his motivation was also personal and spiritual.
67. Not only did the phenomena of the others follow from this, but it also united both the order and the magnitude of all the planets and spheres and heaven itself, that nowhere could a single thing be altered without confusion between the others. parts and throughout the universe.
Talking about that, not only the Earth revolves around the Sun, but also the rest of the planets.
68. Also, why Saturn, Jupiter and Mars, when they rise in the evening, appear larger than when they disappear and reappear with the sun.
His inspiration for proposing heliocentrism was the change in size of the planets at different times of the day.
69. Since sometimes different hypotheses are available to explain the same movement... an astronomer will prefer to use the one that is easier to understand.
Any scientific explanation should be easy to explain.
70. Therefore, when I had long considered this uncertainty of traditional mathematics, it began to bore me that there was no a more definite explanation of the motion of the world-machine established in our name by the best and most systematic builder of all.
When we are not satisfied with something, it is best to go our own way.
