--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Philosophy is written in that great book…" description: "\"“Philosophy is written in that great book which ever lies before our eyes — I mean the universe — but we cannot understand it if we do not first learn ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cb/galileo-galilei-2377_astronomy_philosophy-is-written-in-that-great-book_412758.jpg" --- # Philosophy is written in that great book which ever lies… ![“Philosophy is written in that great book which ever lies before our eyes — I mean the universe — but we cannot understand it if we do not first learn the language and grasp the symbols, in which it is written. This book is written in the mathematical language, and the symbols are triangles…” quote by Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cb/galileo-galilei-2377_astronomy_philosophy-is-written-in-that-great-book_412758.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cb/galileo-galilei-2377_astronomy_philosophy-is-written-in-that-great-book_412758.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2cb/galileo-galilei-2377_astronomy_philosophy-is-written-in-that-great-book_412758.jpg) > ““Philosophy is written in that great book which ever lies before our eyes — I mean the universe — but we cannot understand it if we do not first learn the language and grasp the symbols, in which it is written. This book is written in the mathematical language, and the symbols are triangles, circles and other geometrical figures, without whose help it is impossible to comprehend a single word of it; without which one wanders in vain through a dark labyrinth.”” [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understanding reality requires learning its mathematical symbols. **In simple terms:** Math is the universe's language. Key Takeaway Study mathematics to grasp reality. Themes science philosophy knowledge Mood inquisitive reflective Type scientific philosophical When to use this quote - education - research - technology development - problem solving Key Concepts mathematical language symbolic representation Questions to Reflect On - How can non‑mathematical insights complement science? - What limits does symbolic language impose? A Different Perspective Mathematics may not capture all aspects of experience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Astronomy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronomy/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Circles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circles/) [Cosmology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cosmology/) [Dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark/) [Eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye/) [Figures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/figures/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Great book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-book/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Impossible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impossible/) [Labyrinth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labyrinth/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Math](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/math/) [Mathematical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mathematical/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Philosophy Written](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-written-656592/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Single word](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/single-word/) [Symbols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/symbols/) [Symbols Triangles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/symbols-triangles-1553324/) [Symbols Written](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/symbols-written-3676782/) [Triangles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/triangles/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) [Ur Eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ur-eyes/) [Vain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vain/) [Wander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wander/) [Written Mathematical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/written-mathematical-2062879/) ## Related quotes > [Philosophy is written in that great book which ever lies before our eyes — I mean the universe — but we cannot understand it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/philosophy-is-written-in-that-great-book-which-ever-lies-before-our-3/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [Philosophy is written in that great book which ever lies before our eyes ... We cannot understand it if we do not first learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/philosophy-is-written-in-that-great-book-which-ever-lies-before-our-2/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [The laws of Nature are written in the language of mathematics...the symbols are triangles, circles and other geometrical figures, without whose help it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/the-laws-of-nature-are-written-in-the-language-of-mathematics-the/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [Nature is written in mathematical language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/nature-is-written-in-mathematical-language/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [Philosophy is written in this grand book, the universe, which stands continually open to our gaze. But the book cannot be understood unless one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/philosophy-is-written-in-this-grand-book-the-universe-which-stands/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [My philosophy is "Where is it written that at 40 you give up all your toys?" If I'm still having a great time doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-fieri/my-philosophy-is-where-is-it-written-that-at-40-you-give-up-all-your/) [Guy Fieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-fieri/) > [I begin to perceive that I am a woman. What that is, heaven knows... the philosophy is yet to be written, there is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-gems/i-begin-to-perceive-that-i-am-a-woman-what-that-is-heaven-knows-the/) [Pam Gems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-gems/) > [Nature's great book is written in mathematics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/nature-s-great-book-is-written-in-mathematics/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [“If triangles made a god, they would give him three sides.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-louis-de-secondat-de-la-br-de-et-de-montesquieu/if-triangles-made-a-god-they-would-give-him-three-sides/) [Charles-Louis de Secondat, de la Brède et de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-louis-de-secondat-de-la-br-de-et-de-montesquieu/) > [I've been in a few love triangles. I've been in a love quadrilateral.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beau-mirchoff/i-ve-been-in-a-few-love-triangles-i-ve-been-in-a-love-quadrilateral/) [Beau Mirchoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beau-mirchoff/) > [I've never been in a love triangle. I would not want to be in that situation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-lautner/i-ve-never-been-in-a-love-triangle-i-would-not-want-to-be-in-that/) [Taylor Lautner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-lautner/) > [I peeled the skin off a grape in slippery little triangles, and I understood then that I would be undressing every item of food…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-bender/i-peeled-the-skin-off-a-grape-in-slippery-little-triangles-and-i/) [Aimee Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-bender/) > [There's a pizza place near where I live that sells only slices. In the back, you can see a guy tossing a triangle in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/there-s-a-pizza-place-near-where-i-live-that-sells-only-slices-in-the/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [Way out in the country tonight he could smell the pumpkins ripening toward the knife and the triangle eye and the singeing candle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/way-out-in-the-country-tonight-he-could-smell-the-pumpkins-ripening/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [The triangle of truisms, of father, mother and child, cannot be destroyed; it can only destroy those civilizations which disregard it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-triangle-of-truisms-of-father-mother-and-child-cannot-be/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) ## More by Galileo Galilei > [Surely, God could have caused birds to fly with their bones made of solid gold, with their veins full of quicksilver, with their flesh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/surely-god-could-have-caused-birds-to-fly-with-their-bones-made-of/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [If experiments are performed thousands of times at all seasons and in every place without once producing the effects mentioned by your philosophers, poets,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/if-experiments-are-performed-thousands-of-times-at-all-seasons-and-in/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [“(T)he increase of known truths stimulates the investigation, establishment, and growth of the arts.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/t-he-increase-of-known-truths-stimulates-the-investigation/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [In the long run my observations have convinced me that some men, reasoning preposterously, first establish some conclusion in their minds which, either because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/in-the-long-run-my-observations-have-convinced-me-that-some-men/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [Nature . . . is inexorable and immutable; she never transgresses the laws imposed upon her, nor cares a whit whether her abstruse reasons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/nature-is-inexorable-and-immutable-she-never-transgresses-the-laws/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [Holy Writ was intended to teach men how to go to Heaven not how the heavens go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/holy-writ-was-intended-to-teach-men-how-to-go-to-heaven-not-how-the/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [And who can doubt that it will lead to the worst disorders when minds created free by God are compelled to submit slavishly to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/and-who-can-doubt-that-it-will-lead-to-the-worst-disorders-when-minds/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [ Among the great men who have philosophized about \[the action of the tides\], the one who surprised me most is Kepler. He was a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/among-the-great-men-who-have-philosophized-about-the-action-of-the/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [Infinities and indivisibles transcend our finite understanding, the former on account of their magnitude, the latter because of their smallness; Imagine what they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/infinities-and-indivisibles-transcend-our-finite-understanding-the/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with senses, reason, and intellect has intended us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/i-do-not-feel-obliged-to-believe-that-the-same-god-who-has-endowed-us/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [What ever the course of our lives, we should recieve them as the highest gift from the hand of God, in which equally reposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/what-ever-the-course-of-our-lives-we-should-recieve-them-as-the/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [I cannot but be astonished that Sarsi should persist in trying to prove by means of witnesses something that I may see for myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/i-cannot-but-be-astonished-that-sarsi-should-persist-in-trying-to/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [I would say here something that was heard from an ecclesiastic of the most eminent degree: The intention of the Holy Spirit is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/i-would-say-here-something-that-was-heard-from-an-ecclesiastic-of-the/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [Some, merely to contradict what I had said, did not scruple to cast doubt upon things they had seen with their own eyes again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/some-merely-to-contradict-what-i-had-said-did-not-scruple-to-cast/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [By denying scientific principles, one may maintain any paradox.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/by-denying-scientific-principles-one-may-maintain-any-paradox/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) [Explore all 166 Galileo Galilei quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) ## More Astronomy quotes > [I have inside me the winds, the deserts, the oceans, the stars, and everything created in the universe. We were all made by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/i-have-inside-me-the-winds-the-deserts-the-oceans-the-stars-and/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [Wen daylight turns to a darkened hue, D lovely stars hinting at u, ur heart beat tells u something true, That some 1 badly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/butterfly-kisses/wen-daylight-turns-to-a-darkened-hue-d-lovely-stars-hinting-at-u-ur/) [Butterfly\_Kisses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/butterfly-kisses/) > [Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/home-is-behind-the-world-ahead-and-there-are-many-paths-to-tread/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In the movie, the stars above the ship bear no correspondence to any constellations in a real sky. Worse yet, while the heroine bobs...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/in-the-movie-the-stars-above-the-ship-bear-no-correspondence-to-any/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Astronomers have built telescopes which can show myriads of stars unseen before; but when a man looks through a tear in his own eye,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/astronomers-have-built-telescopes-which-can-show-myriads-of-stars/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [From the grasses in the field to the stars in the sky, each one is doing just that; and there is such profound peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/from-the-grasses-in-the-field-to-the-stars-in-the-sky-each-one-is/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [“Sentinels of trees breathe life into bodies of earthly flesh As their mighty arms reach to the stars we join in their quest for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramon-ravenswood/sentinels-of-trees-breathe-life-into-bodies-of-earthly-flesh-as-their/) [Ramon Ravenswood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramon-ravenswood/) > [“If there are no stars on the sky, you must try to be happy with the shining streetlights!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/if-there-are-no-stars-on-the-sky-you-must-try-to-be-happy-with-the/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Twinking tears in a sea of black. Soft light in a world of darkness. Tiny wishes in a place of dreams. Do you see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-gentile/twinking-tears-in-a-sea-of-black-soft-light-in-a-world-of-darkness/) [Nicole Gentile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-gentile/) > [Your head's like mine, like all our heads; big enough to contain every god and devil there ever was. Big enough to hold the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-morrison/your-head-s-like-mine-like-all-our-heads-big-enough-to-contain-every/) [Grant Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-morrison/) > [“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it you will land among the stars." ... quote has been credited to Les Brown.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylviek/shoot-for-the-moon-even-if-you-miss-it-you-will-land-among-the-stars/) [Sylviek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylviek/) > [When certain stars take you under their wing, it does help as they gauge your potential and are willing to work with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-bhatt/when-certain-stars-take-you-under-their-wing-it-does-help-as-they/) [Vikram Bhatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-bhatt/) > [We were put here as witnesses to the miracle of life. We see the stars, and we want them. We are beholden to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/we-were-put-here-as-witnesses-to-the-miracle-of-life-we-see-the-stars/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [The reason so many of us are obsessed with becoming stars is because we are not yet starring in our own lives. The cosmic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-reason-so-many-of-us-are-obsessed-with-becoming-stars-is-because/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) [Browse all 6,190 Astronomy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronomy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Philosophy is written in that great book which ever lies before our eyes — I mean the universe — but we cannot understand it if we do not first learn the language and grasp the symbols, in which it is written. 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