On Poetry And Mathematics

On Poetry And Mathematics

Note: The English mathematician, Godfrey Hardy, was once quoted as saying that mathematicians and poets are makers of patterns. Throughout the ages, everyone has put in his and her two cents on true worth and meaning of these purist of all disciplines, not all of them positive. One person, when asked, said there are two things worse than a mathematician, and that was two mathematicians. Nats Wolraf gives his own "for what they're worth" opinion on the true meaning of mathematics and poetry.

15 Quotes on Math and Poetry

15. Mathematics is poetry to one who understands.

14. A poet talks of the infinite, a mathematician tries to understand it.

13. Mathematics speaks to the mind, poetry to the heart.

12. Mathematics and poetry are the universal languages of mankind.

11. Let's face it, when it comes right down to it, mathematics and poetry are pretty much alike. Both begin with assumptions from which all else follows. The difference is that mathematics proves what follows.

10. For a person who does not read poetry or knows mathematics, much of the world is hidden from view.

9. Mathematics and poetry are ideas reduced to their basic essence.

8. The difference between a mathematician, a poet, and a politician is that the mathematician and poet try to say the most with the least number of words, the politician does the opposite.

7. Mathematics and poetry may well be the language of God.

6. Mathematics and poetry are enemies of dogma.

5. Who among you cannot rejoice in reading a good poem or a good mathematical proof.

4. Mathematics and poetry are disciplines of few words and many ideas.

3. Mathematics and poetry water the imagination as spring rains water a budding flower.

2. Mathematics and poetry are the Yin and Yang of human thought.

1. A good theorem and poem are like sausage and laws. The finished product may be a delight, but you wouldn't want to see them being made.

Nats Wolraf

Poems By Nats

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