Where the senses fail us, reason must step in. Galileo Galilei More Quotes by Galileo Galilei More Quotes From Galileo Galilei Wine is sunlight, held together by water. Galileo Galilei winedrinkingfood In regard to the philosophers, if they be true philosophers, i.e., lovers of truth, they should not be irritated that the earth moves. Rather, if they realize that they have held a false belief, they should thank those have shown them the truth; and if their opinion stands firm that the earth doesn't move, they will have reason to boast than be angered. Galileo Galilei beliefearthmoving It seems to me that it was well said by Madama Serenissima, and insisted on by your reverence, that the Holy Scripture cannot err, and that the decrees therein contained are absolutely true and inviolable. But I should have in your place added that, though Scripture cannot err, its expounders and interpreters are liable to err in many ways; and one error in particular would be most grave and most frequent, if we always stopped short at the literal signification of the words. Galileo Galilei errorsshould-havewould-be I wish, my dear Kepler, that we could have a good laugh together at the extraordinary stupidity of the mob. What do you think of the foremost philosophers of this University? In spite of my oft-repeated efforts and invitations, they have refused, with the obstinacy of a glutted adder, to look at the planets or the Moon or my glass [telescope]. Galileo Galilei moonsciencethinking It is a beautiful and delightful sight to behold the body of the Moon. Galileo Galilei moonsightbeautiful The laws of Nature are written in the language of mathematics...the symbols are triangles, circles and other geometrical figures, without whose help it is impossible to comprehend a single word. Galileo Galilei circleslawmath I do not think it is necessary to believe that the same God who has given us our senses, reason, and intelligence wished us to abandon their use, giving us by some other means the information that we could gain through them. Galileo Galilei atheistmeanbelieve It is surely harmful to souls to make it a heresy to believe what is proved. Galileo Galilei orthodoxsoulbelieve If you could see the earth illuminated when you were in a place as dark as night, it would look to you more splendid than the moon. Galileo Galilei naturemoondark I am inclined to think that the authority of Holy Scripture is intended to convince men of those truths which are necessary for their salvation, which, being far above man's understanding, can not be made credible by any learning, or any other means than revelation by the Holy Spirit. Galileo Galilei menmeanthinking In the long run my observations have convinced me that some men, reasoning preposterously, first establish some conclusion in their minds which, either because of its being their own or because of their having received it from some person who has their entire confidence, impresses them so deeply that one finds it impossible ever to get it out of their heads. Galileo Galilei runningmenlong Surely, God could have caused birds to fly with their bones made of solid gold, with their veins full of quicksilver, with their flesh heavier than lead, and with their wings exceedingly small. He did not, and that ought to show something. It is only in order to shield your ignorance that you put the Lord at every turn to the refuge of a miracle. Galileo Galilei ignorancewingsorder Scripture is a book about going to Heaven. It's not a book about how the heavens go. Galileo Galilei going-to-heavenheavenbook I think that in the discussion of natural problems we ought to begin not with the Scriptures, but with experiments, and demonstrations. Galileo Galilei scripturesciencethinking By denying scientific principles, one may maintain any paradox. Galileo Galilei principlessciencereligion Nature is relentless and unchangeable, and it is indifferent as to whether its hidden reasons and actions are understandable to man or not. Galileo Galilei reasonactionmen We see only the simple motion of descent, since that other circular one common to the Earth, the tower, and ourselves remains imperceptible. There remains perceptible to us only that of the stone, which is not shared by us; and, because of this, sense shows it as by a straight line, always parallel to the tower, which is built upright and perpendicular upon the terrestrial surface. Galileo Galilei towerssimplescience The Milky Way is nothing else but a mass of innumerable stars planted together in clusters. Galileo Galilei starstogetherway Oh, my dear Kepler, how I wish that we could have one hearty laugh together. Here, at Padua, is the principal professor of philosophy, whom I have repeatedly and urgently requested to look at the moon and planets through my glass, [telescope] which he pertinaciously refuses to do. Why are you not here? what shouts of laughter we should have at this glorious folly! and to hear the professor of philosophy at Pisa laboring before the grand duke with logical arguments, as if with magical incantations, to charm the new planets out of the sky. Galileo Galilei laughterphilosophyscience [Copernicus] did not ignore the Bible, but he knew very well that if his doctrine were proved, then it could not contradict the Scriptures when they were rightly understood. Galileo Galilei copernicusdoctrinescripture
