I know it's a rare privilege, but if one can really tackle something in adult life that means that much to you, then it's more rewarding than anything I can imagine.
Andrew WilesRead
Perhaps I could best describe my experience of doing mathematics in terms of entering a dark mansion. You go into the first room and it's dark, completely dark. You stumble around, bumping into the furniture. Gradually, you learn where each piece of furniture is. And finally, after six months or so, you find the light switch and turn it on. Suddenly, it's all illuminated and you can see exactly where you were. Then you enter the next dark room.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Doing mathematics is a gradual process of understanding that moves from confusion to clarity.
In this quote, Andrew Wiles illustrates the experience of learning mathematics as navigating through dark rooms. Initially, it feels disorienting and challenging as one stumbles through the complexities. However, with persistence and time, clarity emerges, represented by finding the light switch, allowing one to see and comprehend the concepts fully. This analogy emphasizes the value of patience and incremental learning in mastering difficult subjects.
Themes
MathematicsLearningUnderstandingExperienceClarity
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on complex mathematical concepts, one could use this quote to illustrate the learning process.
More from Andrew Wiles
All quotes →Always try the problem that matters most to you.
Andrew WilesRead
The definition of a good mathematical problem is the mathematics it generates rather than the problem itself.
Andrew WilesRead
Similar quotes
At a young age winning is not the most important thing... the important thing is to develop creative and skilled players with good confidence.
Arsene WengerRead
People who grow up with two or more languages understand that each can express certain aspects of reality better than the other.
Siri HustvedtRead
Wear your learning like your watch, in a private pocket; and do not pull it out, and strike it, merely to show that you have one.
Philip Stanhope, 4Th Earl Of ChesterfieldRead
I view it as one of the greatest crimes to shadow the minds of the young with these gloomy superstitions, and with fears of the unknown and the unknowable to poison all their joy in life.
Elizabeth Cady StantonRead
If high-quality content can be effectively delivered via technology, teachers can devote more time to creating innovative experiences, leading Socratic dialogs, or coaching students one-on-one in more targeted and focused interventions.
Sal KhanRead
By all means read the Puritans, they are worth more than all the modern stuff put together.
Charles SpurgeonRead