Friday, October 14, 2011

Sixteenth Century Quote of the Week


"For I am not so enamored of my own opinions that I disregard what others may think of them. I am aware that a philosopher's ideas are not subject to the judgment of ordinary persons, because it is his endeavor to seek the truth in all things, to the extent permitted to human reason by God. Yet I hold that completely erroneous views should be shunned."

Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543), Polish astronomer and mathematician
De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (1543), Preface

2 comments:

Dr. Theodore HOma said...

A note to Julianne Douglas in praise of your Blog: In a recent search into the writers of historical fiction I happened upon Writing the Renaissance. I was very pleased to see a quote from Nicholas Copernicus an historically renowned astronomer and mathematician. I explored further and saw the texture of your fascinating excerpt from The Measure of Silence. Your writing is so rich and colorful. It brings the period to life in a remarkable way. Theodore Morrison Homa MD

Julianne Douglas said...

Dr. Homa, thank you for your heart-warming comment! I found it quite encouraging as I sat down today to write. It might interest you to learn of a wonderful new book that gives an account of Copernicus's life and the circumstances surrounding the publication of his revolutionary theory: A MORE PERFECT HEAVEN by Dava Sobel. I will be reviewing the book soon here on Writing the Renaissance.