Galileo Galilei's finest quotes
The top 3 according to 7 votes from people: Philosophy is written in this grand book that stands continually open before our eyes (I mean the universe)… · … the intention of the Holy Spirit is to teach us how to go to heaven, not how the heavens go. · Anyone can speak obscurely; very few can speak clearly.. (Updated Dec 28, 2022.)
From The Assayer, the Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems and his letters: Galileo's lines with their source. No 'Eppur si muove', which appears in no 17th-century document.
Automatically translated (original in Italiano). See the original
Top 13
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1
Philosophy is written in this grand book that stands continually open before our eyes (I mean the universe)…
The Assayer (1623), ch. 6: 'It is written in the language of mathematics'.
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2
… the intention of the Holy Spirit is to teach us how to go to heaven, not how the heavens go.
Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina (1615), quoting a churchman.
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3
Anyone can speak obscurely; very few can speak clearly.
Considerations on Tasso.
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4
See then the power of truth: while you try to knock it down, your very attacks raise it up and strengthen it.
Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems (1632), second day.
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5
I spent there the eighteen best years of my whole life.
Letter to Fortunio Liceti (1640), on his years in Padua.
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6
… in science the authority of a thousand opinions is not worth a single spark of reason in one man.
History and Demonstrations Concerning Sunspots (1613).
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7
I value finding one truth, even about a trifle, more than arguing at length about the greatest questions without reaching any truth.
Literary writings.
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8
… doubt in philosophy is the father of invention, opening the way to the discovery of truth.
Correspondence 1639-1642.
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9
… being ignorant is nothing other than not resting content with the truth.
Errors of Giorgio Coresio.
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10
… reasoning is like running, not like carrying, and one Barbary horse alone will outrun a hundred Frisians.
The Assayer (1623), ch. 45.
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11
In natural proofs one must not look for geometric precision.
Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems (1632), first day.
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12
One must admit that trying to deal with natural questions without geometry is attempting the impossible.
Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems (1632), second day.
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13
How can fools ever be silenced, if while you refute one of their follies they come at you with a bigger one?
Fragments replying to L. delle Colombe and V. di Grazia.
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