Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

Nations are not ruined by one act of violence, but gradually and in an almost imperceptible manner by the depreciation of their circulating currency, through its excessive quantity.

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

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.

Earth - Motion - Movement - Planet - Prevent - Revolution

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

The strongest affection and utmost zeal should, I think, promote the studies concerned with the most beautiful objects, most deserving to be known.

Deal - Heavens - Objectification - Strength - Studying

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

Astronomy is written for astronomers

Astronomy - Writing

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

To know the mighty works of God, to comprehend His wisdom and majesty and power; to appreciate, in degree, the wonderful workings of His laws, 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.

Accept - Gratefulness

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

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

Certainty

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

Yet if anyone believes that the earth rotates, surely he will hold that its motion is natural, not violent.

Belief - Earth - Violence - Willing

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

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.

Day - Equality - Travel

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

Therefore, having obtained the opportunity from these sources, I too began to consider the mobility of the earth.

Earth

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

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.

Earth - Movement - Planet

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

Every light has its shadow, and every shadow hath a succeeding morning.

Mornings

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

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

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

In first place we must observe that the universe is spherical. This is either because that figure is the most perfect, as not being articulated, but whole and complete in itself; or because it is the most capacious and therefore best suited for that which is to contain and preserve all things.

Perfection - Whole

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

Near the sun is the center of the universe.

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

The two revolutions, I mean the annual revolutions of the declination and of the centre of the Earth, are not completely equal; that is the return of the declination to its original value is slightly ahead of the period of the centre. Hence it necessarily follows that the equinoxes and solstices seem to anticipate their timing, not because the sphere of the fixed stars moves to the east, but rather the equatorial circle moves to the west, being at an angle to the plane of the ecliptic in proportion to the declination of the axis of the terrestrial globe.

Airplane - Earth - Equality - Fixing - Meaning - Movement - Original - Time - Value

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

In the midst of all dwells the Sun. For who could set this luminary in another or better place in this most glorious temple, than whence he can at one and the same time brighten the whole.

Glory - Whole

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

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.

Certainty - Crying - Earth - Holiness - Reject - Writing

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

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.

Knowledge

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

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.

Certainty - Expectation - Fools - Hypothesis - Studying

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Nicolaus Copernicus

Astronomer, Mathematician

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.

Education

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