Quotes from Galileo Galilei

See now the power of truth; the same experiment which at first glance seemed to show one thing, when more carefully examined, assures us of the contrary.

The Bible shows the way to go to heaven, not the way the heavens go.

In the sciences, the authority of thousands of opinions is not worth as much as one tiny spark of reason in an individual man.

We cannot teach people anything; we can only help them discover it within themselves.

Philosophy is written in that great book which ever lies 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

E pur si muove. (Albeit It does move.) [ What Galileo purportedly muttered after torturers forced him to recant his theory that the earth orbits the sun .]

They seemed to forget that the increase of known truths stimulates the investigation, establishment and growth of the arts; not their dimination or destruction.

I notice that young men go to the universities in order to become doctors or philosophers or anything, so long as it is a title, and that many go in for those professions who are utterly unfit for them, while others who would be very competent are prevented by business or their daily cares, which keep them away from letters.

Knowing thyself, that is the greatest wisdom.

You cannot teach a man anything, you can only help him find it within himself.

The greatest wisdom is to get to know oneself.

In the sciences, the authority of thousands of opinions is not worth as much as one tiny spark of reason in an individual man.

And yet it moves.

Holy Writ was intended to teach men how to go to Heaven not how the heavens go.

Being infinitely amazed, so do I give thanks to God, Who has been pleased to make me the first observer of marvelous things, unrevealed to bygone ages.

They seemed to forget that the increase of known truths stimulates the investigation, establishment and growth of the arts; not their dimination or destruction.

Spots are on the surface of the solar body where they are produced and also dissolved, some in shorter and others in longer periods. They are carried around the Sun; an important occurrence in itself.

If I were again beginning my studies, I would follow the advice of Plato and start with mathematics.

We must say that there are as many squares as there are numbers.

I abjure with a sincere heart and unfeigned faith, I curse and detest the said errors and heresies, and generally all and every error and sect contrary to the Holy Catholic Church.

I would beg the wise and learned fathers [of the church] to consider with all diligence the difference which exists between matters of mere opinion and matters of demonstration.

The sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else in the universe to do.

Nature is relentless and unchangeable, and it is indifferent as to whether its hidden reasons and actions are understandable to man or not.

I have loved the stars to fondly to ever be fearful of the night.