Nicolas Copernicus Quotes

Nicolas Copernicus Quotes

Known for his contributions of modern astronomy. He was a Polish astronomer and mathematician who, as a student, studied canon law, mathematics, and medicine at Cracow, Bologna, Padua, Rome, and Ferrara. Copernicus became interested in astronomy and published an early description of his “heliocentric” model of the solar system.

The heliocentric theory by Copernicus marked the beginning of the scientific revolution, and of a new view of a greatly enlarged universe. (1473 – 1543)

– Nicolas Copernicus Quotes –

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

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

Mathematics is written for mathematicians.
~ Nicolas Copernicus

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.
~ Nicolas Copernicus

For a traveler going from any place toward the north, that pole of the daily rotation gradually climbs higher, while the opposite pole drops down an equal amount.
~ Nicolas Copernicus

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.
~ Nicolas Copernicus

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

In so many and such important ways, then, do the planets bear witness to the earth’s mobility.
~ Nicolas Copernicus

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

Near the sun is the center of the universe.
~ Nicolas Copernicus

For I am not so enamoured of my own opinions that I disregard what others may think of them.
~ Nicolas Copernicus

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

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.
~ Nicolas Copernicus

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.
~ Nicolas Copernicus

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.
~ Nicolas Copernicus

I shall now recall to mind that the motion of the heavenly bodies is circular, since the motion appropriate to a sphere is rotation in a circle.
~ Nicolas Copernicus

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

Moreover, since the sun remains stationary, whatever appears as a motion of the sun is really due rather to the motion of the earth.
~ Nicolas Copernicus