Maria Mitchell

Professions :

Born :

August 1, 1818

Died :

June 28, 1889

There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness. by Maria Mitchell

There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness.

happy beauty happiness

We have a hunger of the mind which asks for knowledge of all around us, and the more we gain, the more is our desire; the more we see, the more we are capable of seeing.

educational change inspirational

No woman should say, "I am but a woman!" But a woman! What more c... by Maria Mitchell

No woman should say, "I am but a woman!" But a woman! What more can you ask to be?

asks wisdom should

I had only ordinary capacity but extraordinary persistency. by Maria Mitchell

I had only ordinary capacity but extraordinary persistency.

perseverance capacity ordinary

The greatest benefit derived from the study of science is that it lifts you out of and above the littleness of daily trials. We learn to live in the universe as a part of it; we cannot seperate ourselves from it - our every act connects us with it - our every act affects the whole. Standing under the canopy of stars and remembering their presence you could scarcely do a petty deed, or think a wicked thought.

wicked stars thinking

Do not look at stars as bright spots only. Try to take in the vas... by Maria Mitchell

Do not look at stars as bright spots only. Try to take in the vastness of the universe.

space stars trying

We especially need imagination in science. Question everything. by Maria Mitchell

We especially need imagination in science. Question everything.

questioning imagination needs

Besides learning to see, there is another art to be learned - not... by Maria Mitchell

Besides learning to see, there is another art to be learned - not to see what is not.

In my younger days, when I was painted by the half-educated, loose and inaccurate ways women had, I used to say, "How much women need exact science" But since I have known some workers in science, I have now said, "How much science needs women"

half science needs

But why look back at all? Why turn your eyes to your shadow, when, by looking upward, you see your rainbow in the same direction?

rainbow shadow eye

The world of learning is so broad, and the human soul is so limited in power! We reach forth and strain every nerve, but we seize only a bit of the curtain that hides the infinite from us.

nerves soul world

A sphere is made up of not one, but an infinite number of circles; women have diverse gifts, and to say that women's sphere is the family circle is a mathematical absurdity.

spheres circles numbers

When we are chafed and fretted by small cares, a look at the stars will show us the littleness of our own interests.

perspective stars caring

We travel to learn; and I have never been in any country where they did not do something better than we do it, think some thoughts better than we think, catch some inspiration from heights above our own.

inspiration country travel

Every formula which expresses a law of nature is a hymn of praise... by Maria Mitchell

Every formula which expresses a law of nature is a hymn of praise to God.

nature law science

The greatest object in educating is to give a right habit of stud... by Maria Mitchell

The greatest object in educating is to give a right habit of study.

habit study giving

Why can a man not act himself, be himself, and think for himself? It seems to me that naturalness alone is power; that a borrowed word is weaker than our own weakness, however small we may be.

acceptance men thinking

Yesterday I had a Shaker visitor, and today a Catholic; and the more I see and hear, the less do I care about church doctrines.

catholic church yesterday

As a general rule, people disappoint you as you know them. by Maria Mitchell

As a general rule, people disappoint you as you know them.

people-disappoint disappoint people

The eye that directs a needle in the delicate meshes of embroidery will equally well bisect a star with the spiderweb of the micrometer.

embroidery stars eye

Arthur Eddington

Antony Hewish

Annie Jump Cannon

Andrea M. Ghez

Allan Sandage

Alar Toomre