On Nature (1200-1599)

"All that is required between cognizer and cognized is a likeness in terms of representation, not a likeness in terms of an agreement in nature. For it's plain that the form of a stone in the soul is of a far higher nature than the form of a stone in matter. But that form, insofar as it represents the stone, is to that extent the principle leading to its cognition." (Thomas Aquinas, "Quaestiones disputatae de veritate", cca. 1256-1259)

"If a thing can be done adequately by means of one, it is superfluous to do it by means of several; for we observe that nature does not employ two instruments where one suffices." (Thomas Aquinas, "Summa Theologica", cca. 1266-1273)

"All that is superfluous displeases God and nature. All that displeases God and nature is evil." (Dante Alighieri, "De Monarchia", cca. 1312-1313)

"But every continuum is actually existent. Therefore any of its parts is really existent in nature. But the parts of the continuum are infinite because there are not so many that there are not more, and therefore the infinite parts are actually existent." (William of Ockham, cca. 1320)

"All that is superfluous displeases God and nature. All that displeases God and nature is evil." (Dante Alighieri, "De Monarchia", cca. 1312-1313)

"Although a long series of rules might be added and a long discourse given about them, we conclude our detailed consideration with the cubic, others being merely mentioned, even if generally, in passing. For as positio refers to a line, quadratum to the surface, and cubum to a solid body, it would be very foolish for us to go beyond this point. Nature does no permit it." (Girolamo Cardano, "The Great Rules of Algebra" ["Ars Magna" aka"Artis Magnae, sive de Regulis Algebraicis Liber Unus"], 1545)

"Given that annihilation of nature in its entirety is impossible, and that death and dissolution are not appropriate to the whole mass of this entire globe or star, from time to time, according to an established order, it is renewed, altered, changed, and transformed in all its parts." (Giordano Bruno, "The Ash Wednesday Supper", 1584)

"Nature that framed us of four elements, Warring within our breasts for regiment, Doth teach us all to have aspiring minds: Our souls, whose faculties can comprehend The wondrous architecture of the world: And measure every wand’ring planet’s course, Still climbing after knowledge infinite, And always moving as the restless spheres, Wills us to wear ourselves and never rest, Until we reach the ripest fruit of all, That perfect bliss and sole felicity, The sweet fruition of an earthly crown."  (Christopher Marlowe, "Tamburlaine the Great", 1590)

"The diversity of the phenomena of Nature is so great, and the treasures hidden in the heavens so rich, precisely in order that the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment." (Johannes Kepler, "Mysterium Cosmographicum", 1596)