Nasir al-Din al-Tusi
He developed the Tusi couple, a mathematical device that allowed for the generation of linear motion from circular motion, impacting later models.
Most quoted
"To be a true scholar, one must be willing to admit error, even if it means losing an argument to a younger, less experienced mind. A bitter pill, but necessary."
— from Attributed
"The apparent retrograde motion of the planets is not a true motion, but an illusion caused by the combination of their own motion and the Earth's motion."
— from Al-Tadhkira fi 'ilm al-hay'a (Memoir on Astronomy)
"To truly understand the heavens, one must first understand the limitations of the earthly mind. A task often more challenging than mapping the stars."
— from Attributed
All quotes by Nasir al-Din al-Tusi (433)
The heavens are not simple, but composed of spheres, and the motion of each sphere is uniform and circular.
The universe is a perfect machine, and its parts are interconnected in a harmonious way.
Mathematics is the key to understanding the universe.
The purpose of astronomy is to understand the motions of the celestial bodies and to predict their positions.
Observation and experiment are essential for scientific progress.
The Earth is a sphere, and it rotates on its axis.
The planets move in elliptical orbits around the Sun.
The stars are distant suns, and they are much larger than the Earth.
The universe is infinite, and there are countless other worlds besides our own.
The human mind is capable of understanding the most complex phenomena in the universe.
Knowledge is power, and it is the key to human progress.
The pursuit of knowledge is a noble endeavor, and it is the duty of every human being to strive for it.
The greatest pleasure in life is to discover new truths.
The universe is full of wonders, and it is our duty to explore them.
The beauty of the universe is a reflection of the beauty of God.
The study of astronomy leads to a deeper understanding of God's creation.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork.
The universe is a book, and those who do not read it remain ignorant of its contents.
The pursuit of knowledge is a journey, and it is a journey that never ends.
The more we learn about the universe, the more we realize how much we do not know.