Aromatic plants bestow no spicy fragrance while they grow; but crush'd or trodden to the ground, diffuse their balmy sweets around.
Oliver GoldsmithRead
Nature seems to take advantage of the simple mathematical representations of the symmetry laws. When one pauses to consider the elegance and the beautiful perfection of the mathematical reasoning involved and contrast it with the complex and far-reaching physical consequences, a deep sense of respect for the power of the symmetry laws never fails to develop.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on how nature utilizes mathematical symmetry, highlighting the beauty and complexity of its consequences.
Chen-Ning Yang's quote emphasizes the intrinsic relationship between nature and mathematics, particularly the elegance found in symmetry laws. He suggests that when we appreciate the simple mathematical principles underpinning these laws, we not only recognize their beauty but also acknowledge the profound and often intricate impacts they have on the physical world, fostering a deep respect for the order and power of nature.
Themes
NatureMathematicsSymmetryBeautyElegancePower
In practice
Example use cases
In a presentation about the relationship between physics and mathematics, one could use this quote to illustrate the beauty of scientific laws.
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