Maria Mitchell > Quotes

“Every formula which expresses a law of nature is a hymn of praise to God.”
― Maria Mitchell

“There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness.”
― Maria Mitchell

“We especially need imagination in science. It is not all logic, nor all mathematics, but is somewhat beauty and poetry.”
― Maria Mitchell

“We have a hunger of the mind
Which asks for knowledge all around us
And the more we gain, the more is our desire.”
― Maria Mitchell

“The phrase ‘popular science’ has in itself a touch of absurdity. That knowledge which is popular is not scientific.”
― Maria Mitchell

“I hope he really cried, for a weakness is better than an affectation of weakness. He said, “The unbeliever is already condemned.” It seems to me that if anything would make me an infidel, it would be the threats lavished against unbelief.”
― Maria Mitchell, Maria Mitchell, Life, Letters, and Journals, 1896

“In my younger days, when I was painted by the half-educated, loose and inaccurate ways women had, I used to say, "How much women need exact science" But since I have known some workers in science, I have now said, "How much science needs women.”
― Maria Mitchell

“Truth or myth, it is only for me to know. Come with me into the rich texture of Bizco's kingdom.”
― Maria Mitchell, Cats of Velvet

“Mingle the starlight with your lives and you won’t be fretted by trifles”
― Maria Mitchell

“Do not look at stars as bright spots only. Try to
take in the vastness of the universe.
— MARIA MITCHELL 1818-1889, ASTRONOMER”
― Maria Mitchell

“His description of the journey of Moses towards Canaan had some interesting points, but his manner was affected; he cried, or pretended to cry, at the pathetic points. I hope he really cried, for a weakness is better than an affectation of weakness. He said, “The unbeliever is already condemned.” It seems to me that if anything would make me an infidel, it would be the threats lavished against unbelief.”
― Maria Mitchell, Maria Mitchell: Life Letters and Journals

“I knew of no sadder picture in the history of science than that of the old man, Galileo, worn by a long life of scientific research, weak and feeble, trembling before that tribunal whose frown was torture, and declaring that to be false which he knew to be true. And I know of no picture in the history of religion more weakly pitiable than that of the Holy Church trembling before Galileo, and denouncing him because he found in the Book of Nature truths not stated in their own Book of God — forgetting that the Book of Nature is also a Book of God.

It seems to be difficult for any one to take in the idea that two truths cannot conflict.”
― Maria Mitchell, Maria Mitchell: Life Letters and Journals