Edmond Halley
He calculated the orbit of the comet that now bears his name, demonstrating the periodic nature of comets.
Most quoted
"Death, like the setting sun, is but a transition, a return to the cosmic dust from which we emerged, yet the light of our understanding can illuminate the path for those who follow."
— from Letters and scientific papers
"To understand the ebb and flow of the tides, the predictable return of a comet, is to touch upon the eternal rhythm of the universe, a comforting constant in a changing world."
— from Letters and scientific papers
"The contemplation of the heavens and the order of the universe cannot but fill the mind with a sense of the infinite and the eternal, humbling yet elevating the human spirit."
— from Letters and scientific papers
All quotes by Edmond Halley (375)
Let us not be afraid to challenge established beliefs, for that is how progress is made.
My work on comets is but a small testament to the order of the heavens.
The universe speaks in the language of mathematics, and we are learning its grammar.
To map the stars is to map our place in the cosmos.
The legacy of Newton is a foundation upon which we all build.
I have lived to see the dawn of a new era in astronomy.
The greatest discoveries often come from the most unexpected observations.
Let us continue to push the boundaries of human knowledge.
The heavens are a testament to divine order, and our understanding is a form of worship.
My voyages have shown me that the world is far more complex and beautiful than we imagine.
The pursuit of knowledge is a collective endeavor, and I am but one thread in its tapestry.
To inspire the next generation of astronomers is a duty and a privilege.
I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinions than on those of others.
I confess I cannot see why a man should be so much afraid of a comet, when he has so many other things to be afraid of.
It is a great pity that we cannot have a comet every year, for then we should have something to talk about.
The only thing more predictable than a comet is human folly.
Some men are so fond of their own opinions that they would rather be wrong than change them.
I have found that the best way to get a man to agree with you is to let him think he thought of it first.
It is a curious thing that the more we learn, the more we realize how little we know.
The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge.