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 heavens are a canvas, and God is the artist.

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The universe is a mystery, and it is our privilege to explore it.

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The stars are the silent witnesses of time.

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The true philosopher is one who is always striving to improve the human condition, and to make the world a better place.

A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy 1830

The heavens are a source of endless inspiration.

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The universe is a story, and we are all characters in it.

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The stars are the scattered diamonds of the night.

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The true scientist is one who is always seeking to push the boundaries of human knowledge, and to explore the unknown.

A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy 1830

The heavens are a testament to the power and glory of God.

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

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The besetting evil of scientific research is hurry.

A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy 1830

All human discoveries seem to be made only through the natural eyesight, and the understanding of the world planted in our minds by nature; no assistance from the gods is needed.

A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy 1830

The scientific spirit is of more value than its products, and irrationally conducted research is a greater loss to humanity than none at all.

A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy 1830

Geology, in the magnitude and sublimity of the objects of which it treats, undoubtedly ranks, in the scale of the sciences, next to astronomy.

Treatise on Natural Philosophy 1831

The phenomena of nature, especially those that fall under our daily observation, are slight and superficial in comparison with those which form the object of geometry.

Letter to a Friend 1827

In contemplating the extent and variety of the wonderful phenomena of nature, we are apt to forget the simplicity of the principles on which they depend.

A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy 1830

The mathematician lives in a world of abstractions, but the astronomer brings him down to earth with the stars.

Outlines of Astronomy 1849

Every student of astronomy knows that the heavens declare the glory of God.

Cape Observations 1833

The invention of the calculus was a greater step in human knowledge than the discovery of America.

A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy 1830

Truth is the ground-work of all science.

Speech at the Royal Society 1826