Nicolaus Copernicus Quotes

A collection of quotes by Nicolaus Copernicus.

Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) was a renowned Polish astronomer and mathematician, often credited with formulating the heliocentric model of the universe. Born in the city of Toruń, Copernicus studied various subjects including mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy in Poland, Italy, and Germany. He later worked as a church canon and physician, alongside his interests in astronomy.

Copernicus's groundbreaking work, "De revolutionibus orbium coelestium" (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres), published in 1543, challenged the prevailing geocentric model of the universe. He argued that the Earth revolved around the sun, positing a heliocentric model, which was a significant departure from the long-standing belief that the Earth occupied a central position.

His bold ideas faced resistance from the religious and academic communities of the time, as they challenged established theories and dogmas. However, Copernicus' work laid the foundation for a paradigm shift in scientific thinking and set the stage for the Scientific Revolution in the following centuries.

Despite his revolutionary contributions to science, Copernicus remained relatively unknown during his lifetime, and it was only later that his ideas gained widespread acceptance. His heliocentric model revolutionized the understanding of the universe and paved the way for future astronomers and scientists to explore the cosmos. Copernicus' work is regarded as a turning point in the history of science, and he is recognized as one of the most influential figures in the field of astronomy.

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

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

Nicolaus Copernicus


For it is the duty of an astronomer to compose the history o

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

Nicolaus Copernicus


I am aware that a philosopher's ideas are not subject to the

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.

Nicolaus Copernicus

Truth

Therefore, when I considered this carefully, the contempt wh

Therefore, when I considered this carefully, the contempt which I had to fear because of the novelty and apparent absurdity of my view, nearly induced me to abandon utterly the work I had begun.

Nicolaus Copernicus

Fear

Although all the good arts serve to draw man's mind away fro

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.

Nicolaus Copernicus

Art

Not a few other very eminent and scholarly men made the same

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.

Nicolaus Copernicus

Fear

So, influenced by these advisors and this hope, I have at le

So, influenced by these advisors and this hope, I have at length allowed my friends to publish the work, as they had long besought me to do.

Nicolaus Copernicus

Hope

To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do no

To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge.

Nicolaus Copernicus

Knowledge

So far as hypotheses are concerned, let no one expect anythi

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 entered it.

Nicolaus Copernicus

Truth