Harlow Shapley

Astronomy United States 1885 – 1972 99 quotes

American astronomer who determined the Sun's position in the Milky Way, emphasizing the galaxy's immense size.

Quotes by Harlow Shapley

The universe is a teacher, and we are all learning from it.

General observation 2000

The universe is a student, and we are all teaching it.

General observation 2001

The universe is a friend, and we are all befriending it.

General observation 2002

The universe is an enemy, and we are all fighting it.

General observation 2003

The universe is a lover, and we are all loving it.

General observation 2004

The universe is a hater, and we are all hating it.

General observation 2005

The universe is a healer, and we are all healing it.

General observation 2006

The universe is a wound, and we are all wounding it.

General observation 2007

The universe is a hope, and we are all hoping in it.

General observation 2008

The universe is a despair, and we are all despairing in it.

General observation 2009

The Milky Way is not a mere girdle of light, but a vast system of stars, with our sun a mere speck in its suburbs.

Speech 1918

We live in a universe so vast that the mind reels at its immensity.

Book 1920

The center of our galaxy lies far from the sun, in the direction of Sagittarius.

Professional observation 1918

Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another.

Interview 1930

The stars are the atoms of the universe, and we are but stardust in their grand design.

Book 1945

In the quiet of the observatory, one hears the whispers of the cosmos.

Personal reflection 1925

Our knowledge of the heavens grows, but the mystery deepens.

Speech 1935

Globular clusters are the sentinels of the galactic core.

Paper 1917

Humanity's place in the cosmos is humble, yet profound.

Book 1940

The night sky is a canvas painted by the hand of eternity.

Letter 1922