quotations about mathematics
Mathematics is often considered a difficult and mysterious science, because of the numerous symbols which it employs. Of course, nothing is more incomprehensible than a symbolism which we do not understand. Also a symbolism, which we only partially understand and are unaccustomed to use, is difficult to follow. In exactly the same way the technical terms of any profession or trade are incomprehensible to those who have never been trained to use them. But this is not because they are difficult in themselves. On the contrary they have invariably been introduced to make things easy. So in mathematics, granted that we are giving any serious attention to mathematical ideas, the symbolism is invariably an immense simplification. It is not only of practical use, but is of great interest. For it represents an analysis of the ideas of the subject and an almost pictorial representation of their relations to each other.
ALFRED NORTH WHITEHEAD
An Introduction to Mathematics
A Man is like a fraction whose numerator is what he is and whose denominator is what he thinks of himself. The larger the denominator, the smaller the fraction.
LEO TOLSTOY
Resurrection
Unfortunately, mathematics is always encumbered by the repetition in text-books of numberless subsidiary propositions, whose importance has been lost by their absorption into the role of particular cases of more general truths--and, as we have already insisted, generality is the soul of mathematics.
ALFRED NORTH WHITEHEAD
An Introduction to Mathematics
In real life, I assure you, there is no such thing as algebra.
FRAN LEBOWITZ
"Tips for Teens", Social Studies
I had a feeling once about Mathematics, that I saw it all--Depth beyond depth was revealed to me--the Byss and the Abyss. I saw, as one might see the transit of Venus--or even the Lord Mayor's Show, a quantity passing through infinity and changing its sign from plus to minus. I saw exactly how it happened and why the tergiversation was inevitable: and how the one step involved all the others. It was like politics. But it was after dinner and I let it go!
WINSTON CHURCHILL
My Early Life: A Roving Commission
Mathematicians deal with large numbers sometimes, but never in their income.
ISAAC ASIMOV
Prelude to Foundation
Mathematics does not exercise the judgment, and if too exclusively pursued, may leave the student very ill qualified for moral reasoning.
R. WHATELY
attributed, Day's Collacon