Nicolaus Copernicus

The universe reveals its secrets to those who diligently seek them.

In the vastness of the cosmos, humanity finds its place and purpose.

At the center of all rests the Sun. For who would place this lamp of a very beautiful temple in another or better place than this wherefrom it can illuminate everything at once?

Therefore, since the Earth is a sphere, it is not unreasonable to suppose that it rotates, and that this rotation causes the apparent daily motion of the heavens.

For it is the Earth which, in its revolution, produces the annual changes of the seasons.

The sphere of the fixed stars is immovable, and the Earth is carried around it in a great circle.

What appears to us as the motion of the Sun is in reality the motion of the Earth.

We find, therefore, under this arrangement, a wonderful symmetry in the universe, and a definite relation of harmony in the motion and magnitude of the orbs, of a kind that cannot be found in any other way.

The planets revolve around the Sun, and the Earth is one of the planets.

The order of the spheres is this: The first and highest of all is the sphere of the fixed stars, containing itself and all things, and therefore immovable.

Then follows Saturn, who completes his circuit in 30 years. After him Jupiter, who revolves in 12 years. Then Mars, who goes around in 2 years. The fourth place is held by the annual revolution, in which the Earth is carried, together with the lunar sphere as an epicycle.

In the middle of all sits the Sun enthroned. In this most beautiful temple, could we place this luminary in any better position from which he can illuminate the whole at once?

The Earth, then, with its attendant Moon, moves in a great orbit around the Sun.

The apparent motion of the fixed stars is not due to their own motion, but to the motion of the Earth.

The universe is a sphere, and the Earth is at its center.

The Earth is not the center of the universe, but only the center of the lunar sphere and of gravity.

The apparent daily rotation of the heavens is due to the rotation of the Earth on its axis.

The Sun is stationary in the center of the universe, and all the celestial bodies revolve around it.

The motion of the Earth is threefold: annual, diurnal, and a third motion of declination.

The distance from the Earth to the Sun is imperceptible in comparison with the height of the sphere of the fixed stars.