Philosophy [nature] is written in that great book which ever is before our eyes -- I mean the universe -- but we cannot understand it if we do not first learn the language and grasp the symbols in which it is written. The book is written in mathematical language, and the symbols are triangles, circles and other geometrical figures, without whose help it is impossible to comprehend a single word of it; without which one wanders in vain through a dark labyrinth.

Summary

This quote by Galileo Galilei emphasizes the connection between philosophy and the natural world. Galileo suggests that the universe itself is like a book, filled with knowledge and understanding. However, in order to decode this book, one must learn the language of mathematics and familiarize oneself with geometric symbols. These symbols, such as triangles and circles, serve as essential tools to decipher and comprehend the hidden meaning within the universe. Galileo warns that without this understanding, one becomes lost and confused in the complexity of the world, akin to wandering aimlessly through a dark labyrinth.

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