Johannes Kepler Quotes

Advertencia para idiotas. Pero a todo aquel que sea demasiado estúpido para comprender la ciencia astronómica, o demasiado pusilánime para creer a Copérnico sin que afecte a su fe, le aconsejaría que, una vez renunciado a los estudios astronómicos, y tras haber condenado todos aquellos estudios filosóficos que le plazca, se preocupe de sus asuntos y se vaya a su casa a escarbar su terruño

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.

Wherever there are qualities there are likewise quantities, but not always vice versa.

I especially love analogies, my most faithful masters, acquainted with all the secrets of nature… One should make great use of them.

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.

[Quantity is the fundamental feature of things,] the 'primarium accidens substantiae,' ...prior to the other categories.

Temporis filia veritas; cui me obstetricari non pudet.

Vim coeli reserate viri: venit agnita ad usus: Ignotae videas commoda nulla rei.

Discover the force of the heavens O Men: Once recognised it can be put to use: No use could be seen in unknown things.

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]

Ships and sails proper for the heavenly air should be fashioned. Then there will also be people, who do not shrink from the dreary vastness of space.

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

Just as the eye was made to see colours, and the ear to hear sounds, so the human mind was made to understand, not whatever you please, but quantity.

It is not improbable, I must point out, that there are inhabitants not only on the moon but on Jupiter too, or (as was delightfully remarked at a recent gathering of certain philosophers) that those areas are now being unveiled for the first time. But as soon as somebody demonstrates the art of flying, settlers from our species of man will not be lacking. Who would once have thought that the crossing of the wide ocean was calmer and safer than of the narrow Adriatic Sea, Baltic Sea, or English Channel? Given ships or sails adapted to the breezes of heaven, there will be those who will not shrink from even that vast expanse. Therefore, for the sake of those who, as it were, will presently be on hand to attempt this voyage, let us establish the astronomy, Galileo, you of Jupiter, and me of the moon.

… not my own opinion, but my wife’s: Yesterday, when weary with writing, I was called to supper, and a salad I had asked for was set before me. ‘It seems then,’ I said, ‘if pewter dishes, leaves of lettuce, grains of salt, drops of water, vinegar, oil and slices of eggs had been flying about in the air for all eternity, it might at last happen by chance that there would come a salad.’ ‘Yes,’ responded my lovely, ‘but not so nice as this one of mine.