The true spirit of delight, the exaltation, the sense of being more than Man, which is the touchstone of highest excellence, is to be found in mathematics as surely as in poetry.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Mathematics can bring the same profound joy and sense of transcendence as poetry, representing the highest level of excellence.
- In plain terms
- Math can give the same deep delight as poetry.
- What can you take from it?
- Seek the beauty of math for a sense of exceeding ordinary limits.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes math feel transcendent?
- Can poetry and math share the same audience?
Another view
Not everyone experiences math as emotionally uplifting.
More from Bertrand Russell
Not enough evidence, God, not enough evidence.
Permalink to quote #63 The rules of logic are to mathematics what those of structure are to architecture.
Permalink to quote #65 I resolved from the beginning of my quest that I would not be misled by sentiment and desire into beliefs for which there was no good evidence.
Permalink to quote #62
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