The sun, with all the planets revolving around it and depending on it can still ripen a bunch of grapes as though it had nothing else in the universe to do. Why then should I doubt His power?
¶ (Attributed)
Quotations by ...
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) Italian scientist and mathematician
Take note, theologians, that in your desire to make matters of faith out of propositions relating to the fixity of sun and earth you run the risk of eventually having to condemn as heretics those who would declare the earth to stand still and the sun to change position -- eventually, I say, at such a time as it might be proved that the earth moves and the sun stands still.
¶ Dialogue on Two Chief World Systems (1632)
And who can doubt that it will lead to the worst disorders when minds created free by God are compelled to submit slavishly to an outside will? When we are told to deny our senses and subject them to the whim of others? When people devoid of whatsoever competence are made judges over experts and are granted authority to treat them as they please? These are the novelties which are apt to bring about the ruin of commonwealths and the subversion of the state.
¶ Dialogue on Two Chief World Systems, marginal note (1632)
Let us grant then that theology is conversant with the loftiest divine contemplation, and occupies the regal throne among sciences by dignity but acquiring the highest authority in this way. lf she does not descend to the lower and humbler speculations of the subordinate sciences and has no regard for them because they are not concerned with blessedness, then her professors should not arrogate to them-selves the authority to decide on controversies in professions which they have neither studied nor practiced. Why, this would be as if an absolute despot, being neither a physician nor an architect but knowing himself free to command, should undertake to administer medicines and erect buildings according to his whim-at grave peril of his poor patients' lives, and the speedy collapse of his edifices.
¶ Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina of Tuscany (1615)
http://history.hanover.edu/courses/excerpts/212gal.html
It is very pious to say and prudent to affirm that the holy Bible can never speak untruth -- whenever its true meaning is understood. But I believe nobody will deny that it is often very abstruse, and may say things which are quite different from what its bare words signify.
¶ Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina of Tuscany (1615)
http://history.hanover.edu/courses/excerpts/212gal.html
I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.
¶ Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina of Tuscany (1615)
I would say here something that was heard from an ecclesiastic of the most eminent degree; “That the intention of the Holy Ghost is to teach us how one goes to heaven, not how the heaven goes.”
¶ Letter to the Grand Duchess Christine (1615)
Defending his "heretical" theories.
I would say here something that was heard from an ecclesiastic of the most eminent degree; “That the intention of the Holy Ghost is to teach us how one goes to heaven, not how the heaven goes.”
¶ Letter to the Grand Duchess Christine (1615)
http://history.hanover.edu/courses/excerpts/212gal.html
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WIST is my collection of quotations I find meaningful, moving, amusing (intended or not), well-phrased, and/or to which I just say I "Wish I'd Said That." But just because I quote it here doesn't mean I actually agree with it. If you have any comments, corrections, or suggestions, please don't hesitate to
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