John Herschel

Astronomy England 1792 – 1871 100 quotes

British astronomer who cataloged southern stars and pioneered celestial photography, quoted on the poetry of astronomy.

Quotes by John Herschel

The stars are the letters of the alphabet with which God has written the history of the universe.

Attributed

The true philosopher is one who is always willing to learn, and never too proud to acknowledge his ignorance.

A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy 1830

The heavens are a perpetual source of wonder and delight.

A Treatise on Astronomy 1833

The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge.

Attributed

The business of science is to explain the phenomena of nature by the fewest and simplest hypotheses.

A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy 1830

The universe is a vast laboratory, and we are all experimenters.

Attributed

The true measure of a man is not what he has, but what he does with what he has.

Attributed

The stars are the poetry of the heavens.

Attributed

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.

Attributed (often misattributed to Einstein, but reflects Herschel's sentiment)

The pursuit of knowledge is a noble and never-ending quest.

A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy 1830

The heavens are a mirror in which we can see ourselves.

Attributed

The true scientist is one who is always open to new ideas, and never afraid to challenge old ones.

A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy 1830

The universe is a symphony, and we are all instruments.

Attributed

The stars are the eyes of God.

Attributed

The true measure of progress is not the accumulation of wealth, but the advancement of knowledge.

Attributed

The heavens are a book, and every star is a word.

Attributed

The true philosopher is one who is always seeking to understand the world around him, and never content with superficial explanations.

A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy 1830

The universe is a grand design, and we are all a part of it.

Attributed

The stars are the jewels of the night.

Attributed

The true scientist is one who is always willing to admit when he is wrong, and to learn from his mistakes.

A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy 1830