“It is possible for a mathematician to be "too strong" for a given occasion. He forces through, where another might be driven to a different, and possible more fruitful, approach. (So a rock climber might force a dreadful crack, instead of finding a subtle and delicate route.)”
Quote by John Edensor Littlewood
Work
Littlewood's Miscellany
Littlewood's Miscellany is a compilation of various mathematical pieces and personal anecdotes written by the renowned mathematician John Edensor Littlewood. The book offers a glimpse into the mind of a brilliant mathematician, showcasing his insights and experiences in the field of mathematics. more
Author
John Edensor Littlewood
John Edensor Littlewood was an outstanding British mathematician known for his contributions to number theory, analysis, and probability theory. His research spanned a wide range of areas including group theory in number theory, number-theoretic functions, and limit theorems in probability theory. more
You May Also Like
“The infinitely competent can be uncreative.”
Source: Littlewood's Miscellany
Source: Sir Isaac Newton's Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy and His System of the World: The motion of bodies
“With God, what is terrible is that one never knows whether it's not just a trick of the devil.”
Source: Thoughts
Source: The Grammar of Science