Quotes from Johannes Kepler

Nature uses as little as possible of anything.

Geometry is the archetype of the beauty of the world.

I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses.

We ought not to ask why the human mind troubles to fathom the secrets of the universe. The diversity of the phenomena of nature is so great, and the treasures hidden in the skies so rich, precisely in order that the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment.

Temporis filia veritas; cui me obstetricari non pudet . Truth is the daughter of time, and I feel no shame in being her midwife.

I used to measure the skies, now I measure the shadows of Earth. Although my mind was sky-bound, the shadow of my body lies here. [ Epitaph he composed for himself a few months before he died ]

Geometry has two great treasures; one is the Theorem of Pythagoras ; the other, the division of a line into extreme and mean ratio. The first we may compare to a measure of gold; the second we may name a precious jewel.

When ships to sail the void between the stars have been built, there will step forth men to sail these ships.

The soul of the newly born baby is marked for life by the pattern of the stars at the moment it comes into the world, unconsciously remembers it, and remains sensitive to the return of configurations of a similar kind.

Nature uses as little as possible of anything.

Discover the force of the skies O Men: once recognised it can be put to use.

The treasures hidden in the heavens are so rich that the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment.

The Earth is round, and is inhabited on all sides, is insignificantly small, and is borne through the stars.

I too play with symbols... but I play in such a way that I do not forget that I am playing. For nothing is proved by symbols... unless by sure reasons it can be demonstrated that they are not merely symbolic but are descriptions of the ways in which the two things are connected and of the causes of this connection.

Sky-bound was the mind, Earth-bound the body rests

Priusquam autem ad creationem, hoc est ad finem omnis disputationis, veniamus: tentanda omnia existimo . However, before we come to [special] creation, which puts an end to all discussion: I think we should try everything else.

If there is anything that can bind the mind of man to this dreary exile of our earthly home and can reconcile us with our fate so that one can enjoy living,—then it is verily the enjoyment of the mathematical sciences and astronomy.

I have consummated the work to which I pledged myself, using all the abilities that You (God) gave me; I have shown the glory of Your works to men, but if I have pursued my own glory among men while engaged in a work intended for Your glory, be merciful, be compassionate, and forgive.

before the origin of things, geometry was coeternal with the Divine Mind

I used to measure the heavens Now the Earth's shadows I measure My mind was in the heavens, Now the shadow of my body rests here

We do not ask for what useful purpose the birds do sing, for song is their pleasure since they were created for singing. Similarly, we ought not to ask why the human mind troubles to fathom the secrets of the heavens... The diversity of the phenomena of Nature is so great and the treasures hidden in the heavens so rich, precisely in order that the human mind shall never be lacking for fresh nourishment.

We do not ask for what useful purpose the birds do sing, for song is their pleasure since they were created for singing. Similarly, we ought not to ask why the human mind troubles to fathom the secrets of the heavens. The diversity of the phenomena of Nature is so great, and the treasures hidden in the heavens so rich, precisely in order that the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment.

I used to measure the skies, now I measure the shadows of Earth. Sky-bound was the mind, earthbound the body rests.

The orbit of every planet is an ellipse with the sun at one of the two foci.