After his great and solemn labour, amidst the injustice of his persecutors, this eminent man had sufficient experience of his real worth to assert it.

KEPLER, amidst his sublime discoveries, looks down like a superior being on other men.

He breaks forth in glory and daring egotism: "I dare insult mankind by confessing that I am he who has turned science to advantage.

If I am pardoned, I shall rejoice; if blamed, I shall endure.

The die is cast; I have written this book, and whether it be read by posterity or by my contemporaries is of no consequence; it may well wait for a reader during one century, when God himself during six thousand years has not sent an observer like myself." He truly predicts that "his discoveries would be verified in succeeding ages," and prefers his own glory to the possession of the electorate of Saxony.