Quote of the Day by Ptolemy: "Mortal as I am, I know that I am born…

The quote of the day is by Ptolemy, an exceptional Greco-Roman scientist specializing in astronomy, mathematics, and geography. 

He lived in Alexandria, Egypt, and wrote the Almagest, which proposed Earth at the center of the cosmos and was followed by astronomers for 1,400 years before Copernicus. 

Quote of the day refers to a philosophical idea expressed in words each day to motivate one into action. 

Read on to know the quote of the day by Ptolemy, "Mortal as I am...", its cosmic wonder, his legacy, and modern applications for awe in daily life.

Quote:"Mortal as I am, I know that I am born for a day. But when I follow at my pleasure the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the earth."

Meaning of the Quote of the Day by Ptolemy

These lines were written by Ptolemy about 150 AD in his book Almagest, while he was amazed by the wonders of the universe amidst the frailty of human life. 

In simple language, it states that our small lifespan seems endless when we look up at the stars; science helps us transcend the physical constraints of life on Earth.

Why is This Quote of the Day by Ptolemy Relevant Today?

Amidst a world where screens abound, we need to heed Ptolemy’s words to gaze up at the stars instead of down at our phones and find inspiration. 

Think about times when one feels stressed about meeting deadlines at work. By going out and drawing lines between stars, the stresses suddenly become insignificant compared to infinity.

Other Famous and Inspirational Ptolemy Quotes

These quotes expand Ptolemy's themes of science, humility, and cosmic scale.

• "I know that I am mortal by nature, and ephemeral; but when I trace at my pleasure the convoluted paths of the stars, I no longer touch the earth with my feet." (Echoes transcendence through observation.)

• "Mathematics should be more widely used in astronomy." (Stresses precision in discovery.)

• "The heaven and the earth and the whole universe must be spherical." (Defends his influential model.)

Who Is Ptolemy?

Ptolemy was born in the year 100 AD, in Egypt. His life is marked by the synthesis of the Greek, Egyptian, and Roman cultures. 

He was an academic working in Alexandria's library during its prime time. Ptolemy made his contributions to fields such as astronomy, geography, and mathematics, writings that were studied until the Renaissance era.

What is Ptolemy Known for?

Ptolemy is renowned for his magnum opus, the Almagest, his Earth-centric universe theory in 13 volumes that reigned supreme for millennia. 

He listed 1,022 stars, improved planetary equations, and designed the world-famous map in his book titled Geography. 

The Ptolemaic era and Ptolemaic theory were both named after him, highlighting his contributions in blending ancient and medieval wisdom.

Ptolemy's epigram conveys our earthly constraints melting away amidst celestial amazement, encouraging us to transcend the mundane in search of marvels. 

Miniature quotes such as this can transform perspectives by converting mundane instances into deeper realizations with continued use. 

Remember Ptolemy's advice tonight, look up to the stars, and let yourself be raised above the ground.