Nicolaus Copernicus quotes | Thousands Of Quotes

I can easily conceive, most Holy Father, that as soon as some people learn that in this book which I have written concerning the revolutions of the heavenly bodies, I ascribe certain motions to the Earth, they will cry out at once that I and my theory should be rejected.

Nicolaus Copernicus

Father

People

Earth

Theory

Will

Not a few other very eminent and scholarly men made the same request, urging that I should no longer through fear refuse to give out my work for the common benefit of students of Mathematics.

For it is the duty of an astronomer to compose the history of the celestial motions through careful and expert study.

More stars in the north are seen not to set, while in the south certain stars are no longer seen to rise.

Nicolaus Copernicus

Stars

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

Nicolaus Copernicus

First

Universe

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

Nicolaus Copernicus

Sun

Universe

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

Nicolaus Copernicus

Rest

Sun

Although all the good arts serve to draw man's mind away from vices and lead it toward better things, this function can be more fully performed by this art, which also provides extraordinary intellectual pleasure.

Accordingly, since nothing prevents the earth from moving, I suggest that we should now consider also whether several motions suit it, so that it can be regarded as one of the planets. For, it is not the center of all the revolutions.

I am aware that a philosopher's ideas are not subject to the judgment of ordinary persons, because it is his endeavour to seek the truth in all things, to the extent permitted to human reason by God.