I read in the proof sheets of Hardy on Ramanujan 'As someone said, each of the positive integers was one of his personal friends.' My reaction was, 'I wonder who said that I wish I had.' In the next proof-sheets I read (what now stands), 'It was Littlewood who said...'
More Quotes from J. E. Littlewood:
A linguist would be shocked to learn that if a set is not closed this does not mean that it is open, or again that 'E is dense in E' does not mean the same thing as 'E is dense in itself'.J. E. Littlewood
I recall once saying that when I had given the same lecture several times I couldn't help feeling that they really ought to know it by now.
J. E. Littlewood
The surprising thing about this paper is that a man who could write it would.
J. E. Littlewood
A good mathematical joke is better, and better mathematics, than a dozen mediocre papers.
J. E. Littlewood
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.)
J. E. Littlewood
In presenting a mathematical argument the great thing is to give the educated reader the chance to catch on at once to the momentary point and take details for granted his successive mouthfuls should be such as can be swallowed at sight in case of accidents, or in case he wishes for once to check in detail, he should have only a clearly circumscribed little problem to solve (e.g. to check an identity two trivialities omitted can add up to an impasse). The unpractised writer, even after the dawn of a conscience, gives him no such chance before he can spot the point he has to tease his way through a maze of symbols of which not the tiniest suffix can be skipped.
J. E. Littlewood
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Based on Topics: Friendship QuotesBased on Keywords: had, hardy, integers, littlewood, ramanujan
There is happiness in duty, although it may not seem so.
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We are afraid to face the hard questions. We are willing to tackle drugs, crime, and public education only if it doesn't cost us any new taxes.
J. Irwin Miller
A statesman... must wait until he hears the steps of God sounding through events, then leap up and grasp the hem of His garment.
Otto von Bismarck