Axes Quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero
“The following passage is one of those cited by Copernicus himself in his preface to De Revolutionibus: "The Syracusan Hicetas, as Theophrastus asserts, holds the view that the heaven, sun, moon, stars, and in short all of the things on high are stationary, and that nothing in the world is in motion except the earth, which by revolving and twisting round its axis with extreme velocity produces all the same results as would be produced if the earth were stationary and the heaven in motion. . . ."”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Correspondence with a Friend, 45 BC
Ancient scholars argued that Earth’s rotation explains celestial motion, challenging the stationary heavens view.
In simple terms: Earth’s spin explains sky motion.
Key Takeaway
Consider Earth’s rotation in cosmology.
Themes
astronomy
history of science
paradigm shift
Mood
historical
educational
Type
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- education
- public outreach
- museum exhibit
- science communication
Key Concepts
geocentrism
heliocentrism
scientific debate
Questions to Reflect On
- How does paradigm shift affect belief?
- What evidence convinces skeptics?
A Different Perspective
Old models persist despite evidence.
![“Things sacred should not only be touched with the hands, but unviolated in thought. [Lat., Res sacros non modo manibus attingi, sed ne cogitatione quidem violari fas fuit.]” quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/deb/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_hands_things-sacred-should-not-only-be-touched_11960.jpg)
