Gutenberg, Johannes
A German inventor who introduced mechanical movable type printing to Europe, initiating the printing revolution.
Most quoted
"Yes, it is a press, certainly, but a press from which shall flow in inexhaustible streams, the most abundant and most marvelous liquor that has ever flowed to relieve the thirst of men! Through it, God will spread His Word. A spring of truth shall flow from it: like a new star it shall scatter the darkness of ignorance, and cause a new light to shine upon mankind."
— from Attributed
"Yes, it is a press, certainly, but a press from which shall flow in inexhaustible streams, the most abundant and most marvelous liquor that has ever flowed to relieve the thirst of men! Through it, God will spread His Word. A spring of truth shall flow from it: like a new star it will scatter the darkness of ignorance, and cause a new light to shine among men."
— from Attributed, likely apocryphal but reflects his motivations, 1450
"God suffers in the multitude of souls whom His word can not reach. Religious truth is imprisoned in a few manuscripts which guard the treasure, instead of diffusing it. Let us break the seal which holds the word of God; let us give wings to truth, that it may speed from soul to soul, from town to town, from kingdom to kingdom."
— from Attributed
All quotes by Gutenberg, Johannes (379)
Let us print not only Bibles, but also books of science, history, and philosophy.
The power of the word is now in the hands of the people.
I have given birth to a new age.
Ignorance is the greatest enemy, and printing is its vanquisher.
My work is for the glory of God and the benefit of mankind.
The printed word will endure longer than stone monuments.
I have made the invisible visible, and the distant near.
The printing press is a silent preacher.
Let us not fear the spread of knowledge, but embrace it.
The world is hungry for knowledge, and I have provided the feast.
God suffers in the multitude of souls whom His word cannot reach.
It is a press, certainly, but a press from which shall flow in inexhaustible streams... Through it, God will spread His Word. A spring of truth shall flow from it: like a new star it shall scatter the darkness of ignorance, and cause a light heretofore unknown to shine amongst men.
Yes, it is a press, but a press which shall soon... pour out a holy flood of truth over the world.
Give me 26 soldiers of lead and I will conquer the world.
The truth shall make you free, and printing shall spread the truth.
The most mysterious thing is the human capacity to transcend itself through invention.
The work itself will be its own justification.
Through the printing press, knowledge will become the common property of all.
I have created an instrument for the mind, as important as the wheel for the feet.
The art of printing is a gift from God, a blessing to mankind.