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69 Insightful Quotes By Galileo Galilei, The Father Of Science

Famous As: Known as “Father” of Observational Astronomy who Invented the ‘Thermoscope’ and Various Military Compasses
Born On: February 15, 1564
Died On: January 8, 1642
Born In: Pisa, Italy
Died At Age: 77
Galileo Galilei was a famous Italian physicist, astronomer and philosopher, universally known as “Father of Science”. Many modern day inventions and discoveries were possible only due to the theories and hypothesis he proposed during the 17th century. His contributions include telescopic confirmation of Phases of Venus, Satellites of Jupiter (named Galilean moon), Military Compass and Global Satellite Navigation System. His written works include ‘The Little Balance’, ‘The Starry Messenger’ and ‘Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina’. His works and writings express his thoughts on several subjects such as philosophy, astronomy, God, religion and scriptures and these have become quite popular as his quotes. In honor of this great philosopher, a low cost telescope with high quality named Galileoscope was released in 2009 enabling numerous people to view the same things that the Legend himself saw. Many references of Galileo have been made in modern age plays, songs and theatres. Go through these inspiring and philosophical thoughts, sayings and quotes by Galileo Galilei on  evolution, wisdom, faith, experiment, belief, art, teaching, reason, truth, nature, math, astronomy, observation, opinion, authority, beauty and religion.
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I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him.

I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him.

Galileo Galilei
The laws of nature are written by the hand of God in the language of mathematics.

The laws of nature are written by the hand of God in the language of mathematics.

Galileo Galilei
To understand the Universe, you must understand the language in which it's written, the language of Mathematics.

To understand the Universe, you must understand the language in which it's written, the language of Mathematics.

Galileo Galilei
You can't teach anybody anything, only make them realize the answers are already inside them.

You can't teach anybody anything, only make them realize the answers are already inside them.

Galileo Galilei
Nonetheless, it moves.

Nonetheless, it moves.

Galileo Galilei

And who can doubt that it will lead to the worst disorders when minds created free by God are compelled to submit slavishly to an outside will? When we are told to deny our senses and subject them to the whim of others? When people devoid of whatsoever competence are made judges over experts and are granted authority to treat them as they please? These are the novelties which are apt to bring about the ruin of commonwealths and the subversion of the state.

Galileo Galilei
Knowing thyself, that is the greatest wisdom.

Knowing thyself, that is the greatest wisdom.

Galileo Galilei
Nothing occurs contrary to nature except the impossible, and that never occurs.

Nothing occurs contrary to nature except the impossible, and that never occurs.

Galileo Galilei

The prohibition of science would be contrary to the Bible, which in hundreds of places teaches us how the greatness and the glory of God shine forth marvelously in all His works, and is to be read above all in the open book of the heavens.

Galileo Galilei
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.

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
You may force me to say what you wish; you may revile me for saying what I do. But it moves.

You may force me to say what you wish; you may revile me for saying what I do. But it moves.

Galileo Galilei
I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.

I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.

Galileo Galilei
Where the senses fail us, reason must step in.

Where the senses fail us, reason must step in.

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

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
Two truths cannot contradict one another.

Two truths cannot contradict one another.

Galileo Galilei

Long experience has taught me this about the status of mankind with regard to matters requiring thought: the less people know and understand about them, the more positively they attempt to argue concerning them, while on the other hand to know and understand a multitude of things renders men cautious in passing judgment upon anything new.

Galileo Galilei

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

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

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

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

Galileo Galilei
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

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

Galileo Galilei

The vain presumption of understanding everything can have no other basis than never having understood anything. For anyone who had ever experienced just once the perfect understanding of one single thing, and had truly tasted how knowledge is accomplished, would recognize that of the infinity of other truths he understands nothing.

Galileo Galilei

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
God is known by nature in his works, and by doctrine in his revealed word.

God is known by nature in his works, and by doctrine in his revealed word.

Galileo Galilei

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
Holy Scripture could never lie or err...its decrees are of absolute and inviolable truth.

Holy Scripture could never lie or err...its decrees are of absolute and inviolable truth.

Galileo Galilei
Mathematics is the key and door to the sciences.

Mathematics is the key and door to the sciences.

Galileo Galilei
In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual.

In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual.

Galileo Galilei
Scripture is a book about going to Heaven. It's not a book about how the heavens go.

Scripture is a book about going to Heaven. It's not a book about how the heavens go.

Galileo Galilei
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.

All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.

Galileo Galilei