Quotes by Maria Mitchell

About Maria Mitchell:

Maria Mitchell was an American astronomer who, in 1847, by using a telescope, discovered a comet which as a result became known as "Miss Mitchell's Comet". She won a gold medal prize for her discovery which was presented to her by King Frederick VI of Denmark - this was remarkable for a woman. On the medal was inscribed "Non Frustra Signorum Obitus Speculamur et Ortus" in Latin (taken from Georgics by Virgil (Book I, line 257) (English: “Not in vain do we watch the setting and rising of the stars”). Mitchell was the first American woman to work as a professional astronomer.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

I was a little doubtful about the propriety of going to the Mammoth Cave without a gentleman escort, but if two ladies travel alone they must have the courage of men.

Maria Mitchell

I would as soon put a girl alone into a closet to meditate as give her only the society of her needle.

Maria Mitchell

The best that can be said of my life so far is that it has been industrious, and the best that can be said of me is that I have not pretended to what I was not.

Maria Mitchell

Study as if you were going to live forever; live as if you were going to die tomorrow.

Maria Mitchell

A young sailor boy came to see me today. It pleases me to have these lads seek me on their return from their first voyage, and tell me how much they have learned about navigation.

Maria Mitchell

As a general rule, people disappoint you as you know them.

Maria Mitchell

Do not look at stars as bright spots only. Try to take in the vastness of the universe.

Maria Mitchell

I am just through with a summer, and a summer is to me always a trying ordeal.

Maria Mitchell

I have worn myself thin trying to find out about this comet, and I know very little now in the matter.

Maria Mitchell

People have to learn sometimes not only how much the heart, but how much the head, can bear.

Maria Mitchell

Small aids to individuals, large aid to masses.

Maria Mitchell

The greatest object in educating is to give a right habit of study.

Maria Mitchell

The Southern character is opposed to haste. Safety is of more worth than speed, and there is no hurry.

Maria Mitchell

To read a book, to think it over, and to write out notes is a useful exercise; a book which will not repay some hard thought is not worth publishing.

Maria Mitchell

Altogether, St. Louis is a growing place, and the West has a large hand and a strong grasp.

Maria Mitchell

I saw, in looking over Cooper, elements of a comet of 1825 which resemble what I get out for this, from my own observations, but I cannot rely upon my own.

Maria Mitchell

Yesterday I had a Shaker visitor, and today a Catholic; and the more I see and hear, the less do I care about church doctrines.

Maria Mitchell

I have never been in any country where they did not do something better than we do it, think some thoughts better than we think, catch some inspiration from heights above our own.

Maria Mitchell

The phrase ‘popular science’ has in itself a touch of absurdity. That knowledge which is popular is not scientific.

Maria Mitchell

Every formula which expresses a law of nature is a hymn of praise to God.

Maria Mitchell

Author Bio

  • NameMaria Mitchell
  • DescriptionAmerican astronomer
  • BornAugust 1, 1818
  • DiedJune 28, 1889
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionAstronomer; Librarian
  • AwardsNational Women's Hall Of Fame