Quotes from book
Systema Naturae

Systema Naturae is one of the major works of the Swedish botanist, zoologist and physician Carl Linnaeus and introduced the Linnaean taxonomy. Although the system, now known as binomial nomenclature, was partially developed by the Bauhin brothers, Gaspard and Johann, 200 years earlier, Linnaeus was first to use it consistently throughout his book. The first edition was published in 1735. The full title of the 10th edition , which was the most important one, was Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis or translated: "System of nature through the three kingdoms of nature, according to classes, orders, genera and species, with characters, differences, synonyms, places".


Carl Linnaeus photo

“Great is our God, and great is His power, and his strength is immeasurable”

In the dedication from his 12th edition.
Original in Latin: "Magnus est DEUS noster, & magna est potentia Ejus, & potentia Ejus non est numerus."
Systema Naturae

Carl Linnaeus photo

“Every genus is natural, created as such in the beginning, hence not to be rashly split up or stuck together by whim or according to anyone's theory.”

Systema naturae (1735) (quoted in Ramsbottom 1938:197)
Original in Latin: Genus omne est naturale, in primordio tale creatum, hinc pro libitu & secundem cujuscimque theoriam non proterve discindendum aut conglutinandum.
Systema Naturae

Carl Linnaeus photo

“The Earth's Creation is the glory of God, as seen from the works of Nature by Man alone.”

In the Introitus (Preface) from his late editions.
Original in Latin: "Finis Creationis telluris est gloria Dei ex opere Naturae per Hominem solum"
Variant translation: "The purpose of Creation is the glory of God, as can be seen from the works in nature by man alone."
Systema Naturae

Carl Linnaeus photo

“God infinite, omniscient and omnipotent, woke me up and I was amazed! I have read some clues through His created things, in all of which, is His will; even in the smallest things, and the most minute! How much wisdom! What an inscrutable perfection!”

Imperium Naturæ, 12th edition.
Deum sempiternum, immensum, omniscium, omnipotentem expergefactus a tergo transeuntem vidi et obstupui! legi aliquot Ejus vestigia per creata rerum, in quibus omnibus, etiam in minimis, ut fere nullis, quæ Vis! quanta Sapientia! quam inextricabilis Perfectio!
Systema Naturae

Carl Linnaeus photo

“From my youth you have taught me, O God, and now I would like to proclaim Your Wonders”

Praise at the end of the index. In Systema Naturae (1758), from Psalm 71.
Original in Latin: "Docuisti me Deus a juventute mea, & usque nunc pronunciabo Mirabilia Tua"
Systema Naturae

Carl Linnaeus photo
Carl Linnaeus photo

“Your works are wonderful, O Lord! In the multitude of Thy virtues you measure those who despise you.”

Praise at the end of the introduction. In Systema Naturae (1758).
Original in Latin: "Terribilia sunt opera Tua, o Domine! In multitude virtutis Tuae, Te metientur contemptores Tui."
Systema Naturae

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