We think in generalities, but we live in details.
W.H. Auden and L. Kronenberger The Viking Book of Aphorisms, New York: Viking Press, 1966.
Loci: Convergence
Mathematical Quotations
Our library of quotations is organized alphabetically by surname of the author.
Page: 1 of 2 | Next
Jacobi, Carl
Mathematics is the science of what is clear by itself.
Jacobi, Carl
It is often more
convenient to
possess the ashes of
great men than to
possess the men
themselves during
their lifetime.
[Commenting on the
return of Descartes'
remains to France]
Jacobi, Carl
The real end of science is the honor of the human mind.
Jacobi, Carl
God ever arithmetizes.
Jacobi, Carl
One should always
generalize.
(Man muss immer
generalisieren.)
Jacobi, Carl
It is true that Fourier had the opinion that the principal aim of mathematics was public utility and explanation of natural phenomena; but a philosopher like him should have known that the sole end of science is the honor of the human mind, and that under this title a question about numbers is worth as much as a question about the system of the world.
James, William (1842 - 1910)
The union of the mathematician with the poet, fervor with measure, passion with correctness, this surely is the ideal.
Jeans, Sir James
From the intrinsic evidence of his creation, the Great Architect of the Universe now begins to appear as a pure mathematician.
Jeans, Sir James
The essential fact is that all the pictures which science now draws of nature, and which alone seem capable of according with observational facts, are mathematical pictures.
Jefferson, Thomas
[T]he science of calculation also is indispensable as far as the extraction of the square and cube roots: Algebra as far as the quadratic equation and the use of logarithms are often of value in ordinary cases: but all beyond these is but a luxury; a delicious luxury indeed; but not to be in indulged in by one who is to have a profession to follow for his subsistence.
Page: 1 of 2 | Next