'Obvious' is the most dangerous word in mathematics. E. T. Bell dangerousmathematicsobvious Change image and share on social
The pursuit of pretty formulas and neat theorems can no doubt quickly degenerate into a silly vice, but so can the quest for austere generalities which are so very general indeed that they are incapable of application to any particular. E. T. Bell applicationausteredegenerate share on social
Out of fifty mathematical papers presented in brief at such a meeting, it is a rare mathematician indeed who really understands what more than half a dozen are about. E. T. Bell dozenfiftyhalf Change image and share on social
Fashion as King is sometimes a very stupid ruler. E. T. Bell fashionkingruler Change image and share on social
It is the perennial youthfulness of mathematics itself which marks it off with a disconcerting immortality from the other sciences. E. T. Bell disconcertimmortalitymark Change image and share on social
Science makes no pretension to eternal truth or absolute truth. E. T. Bell absoluteeternalmake Change image and share on social
Time makes fools of us all. Our only comfort is that greater shall come after us. E. T. Bell comfortfoolgreat Change image and share on social
The mistakes and unresolved difficulties of the past in mathematics have always been the opportunities of its future. E. T. Bell difficultyfuturemathematics Change image and share on social
Euclid taught me that without assumptions there is no proof. Therefore, in any argument, examine the assumptions. E. T. Bell argumentassumptioneuclid Change image and share on social
If indeed, as Hilbert asserted, mathematics is a meaningless game played with meaningless marks on paper, the only mathematical experience to which we can refer is the making of marks on paper. E. T. Bell assertexperiencegame Change image and share on social
