In my mind, numbers and words are far more than squiggles of ink on a page. They have form, color, texture and so on. They come alive to me, which is why as a young child I thought of them as my 'friends.'
Interpretation
This quote expresses the belief that numbers and words possess a deeper, almost magical quality that brings them to life and makes them relatable.
Daniel Tammet emphasizes his unique perception of numbers and words, describing them not merely as symbols but as vibrant entities that evoke emotions and connections. By personifying them as 'friends,' he reflects on the profound relationship he has with language and mathematics, suggesting that these constructs can shape our experiences and understanding of the world.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of literacy and numeracy in education.
I had eventually come to understand that friendship was a delicate, gradual process that mustn’t be rushed or seized upon but allowed and encouraged to take its course over time. I pictured it as a butterfly, simultaneously beautiful and fragile, that once afloat belonged to the air and any attempt to grab at it would only destroy it.
My mother is not a model. She is not perfect. That awareness is part of learning to love someone. Predicting the actions of someone is an act of love. We persist, even when we get it wrong. That's the beauty of love.
I'm very comfortable with the idea of there being late bloomers, and for me, of course, there's no difficulty at all in the way that I think of talent and achievement and so on.
Why learn a number like pi to so many decimal places? The answer I gave then as I do now is that pi is for me an extremely beautiful and utterly unique thing. Like the Mona Lisa or a Mozart symphony, pi is its own reason for loving it.
Like works of literature, mathematical ideas help expand our circle of empathy, liberating us from the tyranny of a single, parochial point of view. Numbers, properly considered, make us better people.
We learn humility through accepting humiliations cheerfully.
You are one of the rare people who can separate your observation from your perception...you see what is, where most people see what they expect.
Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it.
The close and thoughtful observer more and more learns to recognize his limitations. He realizes that with the steady growth of knowledge more and more new problems keep on emerging.
The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.
Anyone can battle for pride, power, vanity, greed, or hate, but war should always be approached with an equal measure of wisdom and strength. It's not just enough to know when to fight, but to know when to lay down the sword and negotiate. Not everything in the world is worth fighting for.
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