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

Philosophy is written in this grand book, the universe, which stands continually open to our gaze.

To be humane, we must ever be ready to pronounce that wise, ingenious and modest statement ‘I do not know’.

Philosophy is written in this grand book, the universe, which stands continually open to our gaze.

We see only the simple motion of descent, since that other circular one common to the Earth, the tower, and ourselves remains imperceptible.

What greater stupidity can be imagined than that of calling jewels, silver, and gold “precious,” and earth and soil “base”?

I do not know what to say in a case so surprising, so unlooked for and so novel.

I entertain no doubts as to the truth of the transfinites, which I have recognized with God’s help.

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

The Milky Way is nothing else but a mass of innumerable stars planted together in clusters.

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

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

Philosophy itself cannot but benefit from our disputes, for if our conceptions prove true, new achievements will be made; if false, their refutation will further confirm the original doctrines.

I believe that the intention of Holy Writ was to persuade men of the truths necessary to salvation; such as neither science nor other means could render credible, but only the voice of the Holy Spirit.

I give infinite thanks to God, who has been pleased to make me the first observer of marvelous things.

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

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

When you discover your gift and authority, that gift attracts people. When people come to you, they are not really coming to you for you but for the gift and the vision that you are serving the humanity of your generation with.

I really rebel against authority.

I don’t feel I can speak with authority for many other people.

That science has long been neglected and declining in England, is not an opinion originating with me, but is shared by many, and has been expressed by higher authority than mine.

By ensuring that no one in government has too much power, the Constitution helps protect ordinary Americans every day against abuse of power by those in authority.

In general, women desire to rule over their husbands and lovers, to be the authority above them.

The Constitution does not vest in Congress the authority to protect society from every bad act that might befall it. If followed to its logical extreme, [this approach] would result in an unwarranted expansion of federal power.

A republic is not an easy form of government to live under, and when the responsibility of citizenship is evaded, democracy decays and authoritarianism takes over.