"For it is not the magnitude of the stars, but the magnitude of their distance from us, that causes them to appear small."

"It is not incredible that the earth moves, but that it stands still, that is incredible."

"Therefore, let us not be afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead us, even if it contradicts our preconceived notions."

"I consider it the chief duty of an astronomer to gather the observations of the heavenly bodies, and to explain their motions by hypotheses."

"The Sun, as if seated on a royal throne, governs the family of stars which wheel around it."