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Galileo Galilei

Galileo Galilei Quotes

Physicist

Galileo Galilei, an Italian physicist, astronomer, mathematician, and philosopher, is considered the father of modern science. He was born on February 15, 1564, and died on January 8, 1642. Galileo made significant contributions to the fields of physics, astronomy, mathematics, and philosophy. He discovered the four moons of Jupiter through his telescope, supporting Copernicus' heliocentric model, and proposed the law of free fall and other scientific theories.

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Famous Galileo Galilei Quotes

“I think that in the discussion of natural problems we ought to begin not with the Scriptures, but with experiments, and demonstrations.”

Thinking Problem Science Natural Ought Scripture Experiments Discussion Demonstration

Author:Galileo Galilei

“I truly believe the book of philosophy to be that which stands perpetually open before our eyes, though since it is written in characters different from those of our alphabet it cannot be read by everyone.”

Thinking Believe Book Different Philosophy Character Eye Written Alphabet

Author:Galileo Galilei

“The hypothesis is pretty; its only fault is that it is neither demonstrated nor demonstrable. Who does not see that this is purely arbitrary fiction that puts nothingness as existing and proposes nothing more than simple noncontradiciton?”

Thinking Doe Simple Fiction Faults Nothingness Hypothesis Arbitrary Propose

Author:Galileo Galilei

“Nothing physical which sense-experience sets before our eyes, or which necessary demonstrations prove to us, ought to be called in question (much less condemned) upon the testimony of biblical passages...”

Thinking Eye Ought Prove Passages Biblical Testimony Demonstration

Author:Galileo Galilei

“I am inclined to think that the authority of Holy Scripture is intended to convince men of those truths which are necessary for their salvation, which, being far above man's understanding, can not be made credible by any learning, or any other means than revelation by the Holy Spirit.”

Thinking Men Mean Made Spirit Understanding Holy Authority Salvation Scripture Holy Spirit Revelations Convince Can Not Credible Holy Scriptures

Author: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.”

Thinking Giving Believe Mean Reason Use Given Information Gains Atheist Senses Abandon

Book:Thus Spoke Galileo: The Great Scientist's Ideas and Their Relevance to the Present Day

Source: Thus Spoke Galileo: The Great Scientist's Ideas and Their Relevance to the Present Day

“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. ... [I]t is not in the power of professors of the demonstrative sciences to alter their opinions at will, so as to be now of one way of thinking and now of another. ... [D]emonstrated conclusions about things in nature of the heavens, do not admit of being altered with the same ease as opinions to what is permissible or not, under a contract, mortgage, or bill of exchange.”

“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.”

Ifs Thinking Made Philosophy Prove Achievement Benefits Originals Doctrine Conception Disputes Refutation

Author:Galileo Galilei

“I wish, my dear Kepler, that we could have a good laugh together at the extraordinary stupidity of the mob. What do you think of the foremost philosophers of this University? In spite of my oft-repeated efforts and invitations, they have refused, with the obstinacy of a glutted adder, to look at the planets or the Moon or my glass [telescope].”