If this [the Mysterium cosmographicum] is published, others will perhaps make discoveries I might have reserved for myself. But we are all ephemeral creatures (and none more so than I). I have, therefore, for the Glory of God, who wants to be recognized from the book of Nature, that these things may be published as quickly as possible. The more others build on my work the happier I shall be.

Geometry has two great treasures; one is the Theorem of Pythagoras; the other, the division of a line into extreme and mean ratio. The first we may compare to a measure of gold; the second we may name a precious jewel.

The squares of the periodic times are proportional to the cubes of the mean distances from the sun.

Discover the force of the skies O Men: once recognised it can be put to use.

If God himself has waited six thousand years for someone to contemplate his works, my book can wait for a hundred.

Geometry is the archetype of the beauty of the world.

Planets move in ellipses with the Sun at one focus.