Quotes about the night sky
People have been writing about the stars for as long as they have been writing. Below are a few well-known lines from poets, philosophers and artists, each with a note on context. Where a quotation is commonly circulated in slightly different wordings, treat the exact phrasing as approximate and check a primary source if you need to cite it.
Quotes from artists and poets
Vincent van Gogh
Van Gogh is often quoted as saying that he knew nothing with certainty, but that the sight of the stars made him dream. The line is widely attributed to his letters, which are published in several translations, so the wording varies slightly between editions. Van Gogh also painted The Starry Night in 1889, one of the most recognised depictions of the night sky in art.
Sarah Williams
The nineteenth-century poet Sarah Williams wrote “The Old Astronomer to His Pupil”, published in 1868. Its closing lines are often quoted: “Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.” The words became well known partly because they were later associated with astronomers and used on memorials.
Walt Whitman
Whitman’s poem “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer” describes a listener who grows tired of charts, figures and lecture-room proofs and slips outside to look up at the stars in silence. It is often used to make the point that observing the sky directly offers something that explanation alone does not.
Quotes from philosophers and scientists
Immanuel Kant
The German philosopher wrote in the Critique of Practical Reason that two things fill the mind with ever-increasing wonder and awe: the starry heavens above and the moral law within. It is one of the most quoted lines about the night sky in philosophy, and is carved on his tomb in Kaliningrad.
Ptolemy
An epigram attributed to Ptolemy, the ancient astronomer (see how Romans read the sky for his era), says that he is mortal and short-lived, but that when he follows the crowded circling paths of the stars, his feet no longer touch the earth. Attribution of the epigram is debated, and translations differ, so it is best to check the translation you are using.
Carl Sagan
Sagan’s work, including Cosmos and Pale Blue Dot, popularised the idea that we are made of material forged in stars. His writing is still under copyright, so we have not quoted it at length here, but it is worth reading directly if you enjoy reflective science writing.
What did Van Gogh say about stars?
Besides the often-shared remark about stars making him dream, Van Gogh wrote in letters that the night often seemed more richly coloured than the day. He found the night sky inspiring, and works like Starry Night Over the Rhône (1888) and The Starry Night (1889) reflect this. If you are quoting him publicly, citing a particular published translation of his letters is the safest approach.
What is stargazing night?
“Stargazing night” usually means an evening set aside to look at the sky, either alone or at an organised event such as a public star party run by an astronomy club or observatory. It may also refer to a casual night out with family or friends. Our stargazing for beginners guide explains how to plan one.
How to use these quotes
- Captions. A short line pairs well with a night sky photo, such as one taken with the help of our night sky photography guide. Credit the author, and avoid putting words in someone’s mouth if you cannot verify the quotation.
- Journals. Copy a line into an observing notebook as a reminder of why you started.
- Cards and toasts. Public-domain lines from poets such as Williams or Whitman are easy to use, since their work is out of copyright.
- Campfire reading. Read a line or two aloud on a camping astronomy trip.
Quotes can also explain why people feel so drawn to the sky, a topic we cover in why stargazing is good for you.
A note on attribution
Many quotes about the stars circulate online with the wrong author or an altered wording. If you plan to publish a quote, look for the original source, such as the book, poem or letter, and use a named translation where one applies.