It is unity that doth enchant me. By her power I am free though thrall, happy in sorrow, rich in poverty, and quick even in death.
In space there are countless constellations, suns and planets; we see only the suns because they give light; the planets remain invisible, for they are small and dark. There are also numberless earths circling around their suns.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes how much is hidden from our view, suggesting that there are many significant things in the universe that we cannot see.
Giordano Bruno's quote reflects on the vastness of the universe, highlighting that while we can observe the bright suns, symbolizing noteworthy achievements or knowledge, many other important elements, like planets and potential life, remain unseen due to their obscurity or insignificance in light. This invites us to consider the hidden complexities in our world and encourages curiosity beyond what is immediately visible.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of scientific exploration, one might say, 'As Giordano Bruno reminds us, in space there are countless constellations.'
More from Giordano Bruno
All quotes →I who am in the night will move into the day.
There is in the universe neither center nor circumference.
Desire urges me on, while fear bridals me.
Since I have spread my wings to purpose high,_x000D_ The more beneath my feet the clouds I see,_x000D_ The more I give the winds my pinions free,_x000D_ Spurning the earth and soaring to the sky.
The universe is then one, infinite, immobile. ... It is not capable of comprehension and therefore is endless and limitless, and to that extent infinite and indeterminable, and consequently immobile.
Similar quotes
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Does anyone believe that the difference between the Lebesgue and Riemann integrals can have physical significance, and that whether say, an airplane would or would not fly could depend on this difference? If such were claimed, I should not care to fly in that plane.