The best phrases of Giordano Bruno

Giordano Bruno saw the universe in a very different way from the ideas that were being considered at the time, and that cost him his life. The tragic life of this Renaissance philosopher and poet is full of wisdom, knowledge, love and death, unfortunately.

Bruno was born in Naples in 1549 and entered the Dominican Order at a very young age. He focused on the theology of Saint Thomas Aquinas and the philosophy of Aristotle, He stood out very soon for his lucid mind and his reasoning ability.

The tragic life of Giordano Bruno

Bruno had to abandon his studies at just 17 years old, because was accused of thinking differently from the doctrine. And although he was ordained a priest in 1572, he soon had to flee to avoid being condemned for his ideas.

After a long exile of almost 20 years, he returned to Italy in 1591. However, his philosophy, his way of seeing life and his ideas about a round Earth in an immense universe full of suns and planets like ours cost him to be one of the whites of the Holy Inquisition.

After eight years in prison, Giordano Bruno was faithful to his ideas and his thoughts. He refused to retract his writings, so he finally He was condemned to die at the stake in the year 1600..

Quotes by Giordano Bruno

Giordano Bruno died at only 51 years old, condemned by one of the greatest powers of the time, if not the greatest. Reviewing In his figure and his legacy we find an ode to freedom of thought. That is why it is worth knowing a little better about the philosophy of this great Renaissance thinker.

the light of life

“Blind is he who does not see the sun, fool is he who does not know it, ungrateful is he who does not thank him, if there is so much light, so much good, so much benefit, with what it shines, with what it stands out, with what it favors us, teacher of the senses, father of substances, author of life.”

Bruno was aware very early on of the importance of the Sun in our lives. So much so that I sensed that his light was essential for our existence. We now know, for example, that its light is a precious source of vitamin D or that its presence in the sky makes us less vulnerable to depression.

After the darkest night, the light always returns

“No matter how dark the night, I wait for the dawn, and those who live in the day wait for the night. Therefore rejoice, and remain whole, if you can, and return love for love.”

An important part of Giordano Bruno’s philosophy was related to integrity and solidarity and, of course, it was flooded with the Renaissance spirit itself, more optimistic than the earthly despair that had presided over the Middle Ages.. Well, Giordano understands that we all go through stages of darkness in which we may have to fight not to sink, leaving the adventure of coming to the surface for when the light returns.

The complexity of the human being

“In each man, in each individual, a world, a universe, is contemplated.”

Bruno was a Renaissance man, but also a humanist ahead of his time. He observed each human being as a complex entity, a kind of own unique little universe. Today we do not doubt this, and we have even developed this idea to enrich the concept of intelligence (multiple intelligences).

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Over time

“Time gives everything and takes everything away; “Everything changes, but nothing perishes.”

Is there a universal balance? For Bruno, it seems so. Fashions may be passing changes, but in the end, we are still here. Is it possible for nothing to die? Perhaps, since, even after his death, we are here remembering the best of this philosopher. Now, much has changed, but his teachings remain and have not been lost.

The truth in the firmament

“So, where the Bear was, because it was the most eminent part of heaven, truth was placed, which is the highest and most worthy thing.”

Giordano Bruno wrote based on metaphors. That is why he associates the Bear, the bright star in the firmament, with the truth, which is what he demonstrates the highest dignity to which human beings aspire.

Art and science

“Where the nine-stringed Lyre is seen, the mother Muse rises with her nine daughters: Arithmetic, Geometry, Music, Logic, Poetry, Astrology, Physics, Metaphysics, Ethics.”

We end with this beautiful phrase from Bruno that associates the Muse with the arts and sciences. Although some of its relevance has been lost, as new sciences appeared and some of them, such as astrology or metaphysics, have lost importance, it is still a precious association.