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James Joseph Sylvester Quotes

Mathematician

James Joseph Sylvester was an outstanding mathematician known for his contributions to algebra, number theory, and mathematical physics. Born on September 3, 1814, and died on March 15, 1897, Sylvester's work had a profound impact on later mathematicians.

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All Mathematics Mathematical Ideas Math Faculty May Pure Geometry Humans Law Mathematician Matter Mind Reason Seems Study Universe World Algebra Ends

Famous James Joseph Sylvester Quotes

“Number, place, and combination . . . the three intersecting but distinct spheres of thought to which all mathematical ideas admit of being referred.”

Ideas Three Numbers Mathematical Combination Spheres

Book:The Collected Mathematical Papers of James Joseph Sylvester

Source: The Collected Mathematical Papers of James Joseph Sylvester

“A mathematical idea should not be petrified in a formalised axiomatic setting, but should be considered instead as flowing as a river.”

Should Ideas Rivers Setting Settings Mathematical

Author:James Joseph Sylvester

“If I were asked to name, in one word, the pole star round which the mathematical firmament revolves, the central idea which pervades the whole corpus of mathematical doctrine, I should point to Continuity as contained in our notions of space, and say, it is this, it is this!”

Ifs Should Ideas Whole Names Stars Space Notion Rounds Doctrine Mathematical One Word Continuity Firmament Corpus

Book:1854-1973

Source: 1854-1973

“It seems to be expected of every pilgrim up the slopes of the mathematical Parnassus, that he will at some point or other of his journey sit down and invent a definite integral or two towards the increase of the common stock.”

Two Seems Common Journey Increase Down And Expected Mathematical Definite Pilgrim Slopes

Book:The Collected Mathematical Papers of James Joseph Sylvester

Source: The Collected Mathematical Papers of James Joseph Sylvester

“I know, indeed, and can conceive of no pursuit so antagonistic to the cultivation of the oratorical faculty ... as the study of Mathematics. An eloquent mathematician must, from the nature of things, ever remain as rare a phenomenon as a talking fish, and it is certain that the more anyone gives himself up to the study of oratorical effect the less will he find himself in a fit state to mathematicize.”

Source: The Collected Mathematical Papers of James Joseph Sylvester

“There is no study in the world which brings into more harmonious action all the faculties of the mind than [mathematics], ... or, like this, seems to raise them, by successive steps of initiation, to higher and higher states of conscious intellectual being.”

World Mind States Seems Action Steps Study Higher Intellectual Conscious Mathematics Raises Math Mathematical Faculty Harmonious Initiation

Book:Address to the Mathematical and Physical Section of the British Association, Exeter, August 19th, 1869

Source: Address to the Mathematical and Physical Section of the British Association, Exeter, August 19th, 1869

“The world of ideas which it [mathematics] discloses or illuminates, the contemplation of divine beauty and order which it induces, the harmonious connexion of its parts, the infinite hierarchy and absolute evidence of the truths with which it is concerned, these, and such like, are the surest grounds of the title of mathematics to human regard, and would remain unimpeached and unimpaired were the plan of the universe unrolled like a map at our feet, and the mind of man qualified to take in the whole scheme of creation at a glance.”

Source: The Collected Mathematical Papers: (1870-1883)

“Time was when all the parts of the subject were dissevered, when algebra, geometry, and arithmetic either lived apart or kept up cold relations of acquaintance confined to occasional calls upon one another; but that is now at an end; they are drawn together and are constantly becoming more and more intimately related and connected by a thousand fresh ties, and we may confidently look forward to a time when they shall form but one body with one soul.”

Source: The Laws of Verse: Or Principles of Versification Exemplified in Metrical Translations, Together with an Annotated Reprint of the Inaugural Presidential Address to the Mathematical and Physical Section of the British Association at Exeter

“The theory of ramification is one of pure colligation, for it takes no account of magnitude or position; geometrical lines are used, but these have no more real bearing on the matter than those employed in genealogical tables have in explaining the laws of procreation.”

Real Matter Law Used Lines Position Theory Pure Accounts Mathematics Tables Math Mathematical Employed Explaining Magnitude Procreation Ramifications

Author:James Joseph Sylvester

“So long as a man remains a gregarious and sociable being, he cannot cut himself off from the gratification of the instinct of imparting what he is learning, of propagating through others the ideas and impressions seething in his own brain, without stunting and atrophying his moral nature and drying up the surest sources of his future intellectual replenishment.”

Source: Address Delivered by J.J. Sylvester, F.R.S. (corresponding Member of the Institute of France), Professor of Mathematics, at Johns Hopkins University on Commemoration Day, February 22, 1877