Sir Isaac Newton (1642–1727) was an English mathematician, physicist, and theologian. Considered one of the most outstanding scientists and mathematicians of all time, he is also recognized for his contributions to the scientific method that transformed natural philosophy into the physical sciences we know of today.
Born in Lincolnshire, outlined the laws of mechanics that now underpin vast swaths of classical physics. Newton developed the work of Nicolaus Copernicus, Johannes Kepler, Galileo Galilei, René Descartes, and others into a new insight of the mathematical nature of the world, culminating in the Scientific Revolution. Newton’s foremost contributions include his three laws of motion, the law of universal gravitation, the binomial theorem, the development of differential calculus, and the establishment of physical optics. He also created the first working reflecting telescope.
Newton’s Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica (1687) gave a mathematical description of the laws of mechanics and gravitation and applied these to planetary and lunar motion. His Opticks (1704) records his optical experiments and theories, including his particle theory of light and the discovery that white light is composed of many constituent colors.
Newton was a supreme rationalist, though he wrote more about alchemy and religion, including a 300,000-word treatise that attempted to prove the pope was the Antichrist
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Isaac Newton
Every body continues in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, unless it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed upon it.
—Isaac Newton
No sciences are better attested than the religion of the Bible.
—Isaac Newton
Topics: Religion
To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
—Isaac Newton
No great discovery was ever made without a bold guess.
—Isaac Newton
Topics: Discovery
If I have done the public any service, it is due to my patient thought.
—Isaac Newton
Topics: Thinking, Thought, Thoughts
A man may imagine things that are false, but he can only understand things that are true, for if the things be false, the apprehension of them is not understanding.
—Isaac Newton
Topics: Imagination
This most beautiful system [The Universe] could only proceed from the dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being.
—Isaac Newton
Topics: Creation
If I have made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention than to any other talent.
—Isaac Newton
Topics: Concentration, Patience, Focus, Discovery, Attention
What Des-Cartes did was a good step. You have added much several ways, & especially in taking ye colours of thin plates into philosophical consideration. If I have seen further it is by standing on ye shoulders of Giants.
—Isaac Newton
Topics: Discovery
If you are affronted it is better to pass it by in silence, or with a jest, though with some dishonor, than to endeavor revenge.—If you can keep reason above passion, that and watchfulness will be your best defenders.
—Isaac Newton
Topics: Revenge
We account the Scriptures of God to be the most sublime philosophy. I find more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history whatever.
—Isaac Newton
Topics: Bible
I keep the subject of my inquiry constantly before me, and wait till the first dawning opens gradually, by little and little, into a full and clear light.
—Isaac Newton
Topics: Light
I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in finding a smoother pebble or prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.
—Isaac Newton
Topics: Truth, Discovery
If I have seen farther than others, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants.
—Isaac Newton
Topics: Vision, Teamwork, Knowledge
I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people.
—Isaac Newton
If I am anything, which I highly doubt, I have made myself so by hard work.
—Isaac Newton
Topics: Work
Yet one thing secures us what ever betide, the scriptures assures us the Lord will provide.
—Isaac Newton
Topics: Security
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Galileo Galilei Italian Astronomer
Stephen Hawking English Theoretical Physicist
Freeman Dyson American Physicist, Author
John Herschel English Mathematician
Arthur Eddington English Astronomer
Max Planck German Theoretical Physicist
Francis Bacon English Philosopher
Roger Bacon English Philosopher
Michael Faraday British Physicist, Chemist
Niels Bohr Danish Physicist