“Had I been present at the Creation, I would have given some useful hints for the better ordering of the universe.”

— Alfonso X of Castile

Si hubiera estado presente en la Creación, habría dado algunas indicaciones útiles.
After studying Ptolemy's treatise on astronomy.; reported in Thomas Carlyle, History of Frederick the Great, book ii. chap. vii. Carlyle wrote that this saying of Alfonso about Ptolemy's astronomy, "that it seemed a crank machine; that it was pity the Creator had not taken advice," is still remembered by mankind, — this and no other of his many sayings.
If the Lord Almighty had consulted me before embarking on creation thus, I should have recommended something simpler.
Quoted/paraphrased by Adam Riess in his Nobel Prize (in Physics 2011) lecture slides on Supernovae Reveal An Accelerating Universe (A Science Adventure Story).

Original

Si hubiera estado presente en la Creación, habría dado algunas indicaciones útiles.

Sin fuentes
En respuesta a la complejidad matemática y geométrica del sistema ptolemaico del mundo, que era el entonces vigente en Astronomía.

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Alfonso X of Castile 3

King of Castile 1221–1284

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