Paul Lockhart Quotes

There is nothing as dreamy and poetic, nothing as radical, subversive, and psychedelic, as mathematics.

A good problem is something you don't know how to solve. That's what makes it a good puzzle and a good opportunity.

It is the story that matters, not just the ending.

Mental acuity of any kind comes from solving problems yourself, not from being told how to solve them.

Doing mathematics should always mean finding patterns and crafting beautiful and meaningful explanations.

Mathematics is not a language, it's an adventure

Mathematics is the purest of the arts, as well as the most misunderstood.

[Math] curriculum is obsessed with jargon and nomenclature seemingly for no other purpose than to provide teachers with something to test the students on.

The only thing I am interested in using mathematics for is to have a good time and to help others do the same.

I don't see how it's doing society any good to have so many members walking around with vague memories of algebraic formulas and geometric diagrams and clear memories of hating them.

Mathematicians enjoy thinking about the simplest possible things, and the simplest possible things are imaginary.

SIMPLICIO: ... You have to [learn to] walk before you can run.SALVIATI: No, you have to have something you want to run toward.

Mathematicians enjoy thinking about the simplest possible things, and the simplestpossible things are imaginary.

It is the story that matters not just the ending.

I don't see how it's doing society any good to have it's members walking around with vague memories of algebraic formulas and geometric diagrams, and clear memories of hating them.

Mathematics is the art of explanation.