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"I wanted to become a theologian; for a long time I was unhappy. Now, behold, God is praised by my work even in astronomy."

— Johannes Kepler

I Wanted To Become A Theologian

I wanted to become a theologian; for a long time I was unhappy. Now, behold, God is praised by my work even in astronomy.

— Johannes Kepler
astronomy god purpose

About this quote

Johannes Kepler wrote this in a letter to his former mathematics teacher Michael Maestlin on 3 October 1595, confessing that he had originally intended to become a Lutheran minister before being diverted into astronomy. He had been assigned to teach mathematics in Graz, Austria. The letter reveals the religious motivation that ran through all his scientific work: for Kepler, discovering the mathematical order of the cosmos was an act of worship.

Source

Letter to Michael Maestlin (October 3, 1595)

I used to measure the heavens, now I measure the shadows of Earth. The mind belonged to heaven, the body's shadow lies here.
— Johannes Kepler
The diversity of the phenomena of nature is so great, and the treasures hidden in the heavens so rich, precisely in order that the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment.
— Johannes Kepler
Since we astronomers are priests of the highest God in regard to the book of nature, it befits us to be thoughtful, not of the glory of our minds, but rather, above all else, of the glory of God.
— Johannes Kepler
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