Gutenberg, Johannes

Invention German 1400 – 1468 379 quotes

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)

The more books, the more knowledge.

Attributed, reflecting the correlation between books and knowledge, not from a specific published work.

Printing is a divine gift.

Attributed, reflecting the sacredness of his invention, not from a specific published work.

The word of God will reach all corners of the earth.

Attributed, reflecting the religious impact of printing, not from a specific published work.

I have given wings to the word.

Attributed, a poetic description of the spread of information through printing, not from a specific published work.

The pen is mightier than the sword.

Attributed, a common proverb, not directly from his published works.

The future belongs to those who read.

Attributed, reflecting the importance of literacy, not from a specific published work.

My work is for the benefit of mankind.

Attributed, reflecting his philanthropic motivation, not from a specific published work.

The printed page is a mirror of the soul.

Attributed, reflecting the introspective quality of reading, not from a specific published work.

Let there be light, and there was printing.

Attributed, a playful twist on a biblical phrase, highlighting the enlightenment brought by printing, not from a specific published work.

The greatest treasure is a library.

Attributed, reflecting the value of accumulated knowledge, not from a specific published work.

Through printing, all men can become scholars.

Attributed, reflecting the democratization of knowledge, not from a specific published work.

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.

Attributed, a common proverb, not directly from his published works.

The printed word is a weapon against ignorance.

Attributed, reflecting the power of printing to combat ignorance, not from a specific published work.

I have opened a new door to knowledge.

Attributed, reflecting the transformative nature of his invention, not from a specific published work.

The power of the press is the power of the people.

Attributed, reflecting the empowerment of the populace through printing, not from a specific published work.

A book is a garden, a treasure house, a party, a company by the way, a counselor, a multitude of counselors.

Attributed, a rich metaphor for the multifaceted value of books, not from a specific published work.

The greatest invention is the one that benefits all humanity.

Attributed, reflecting the universal impact of his invention, not from a specific published work.

My legacy will be the spread of knowledge.

Attributed, reflecting his understanding of his lasting contribution, not from a specific published work.

The printed word is a bridge to understanding.

Attributed, reflecting the role of printing in fostering comprehension, not from a specific published work.

The art of printing is a miracle.

Attributed, reflecting the awe inspired by his invention, not from a specific published work.