If you wish to learn swimming you have to go into the water and if you wish to become a problem solver you have to solve problems.
George PolyaRead
Pedantry and mastery are opposite attitudes toward rules. To apply a rule to the letter, rigidly, unquestioningly, in cases where it fits and in cases where it does not fit, is pedantry. [...] To apply a rule with natural ease, with judgment, noticing the cases where it fits, and without ever letting the words of the rule obscure the purpose of the action or the opportunities of the situation, is mastery.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote contrasts rigid adherence to rules with a flexible, insightful approach to applying them.
George Polya emphasizes the difference between pedantry and mastery in relation to rules. While pedantry involves a strict, unthinking application of rules regardless of context, mastery requires discernment and adaptability, allowing one to understand the purpose behind the rules and adjust actions according to the situation at hand.
Themes
RulesMasteryPedantryFlexibilityJudgmentUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could serve as inspiration in a workshop focused on teaching methods and pedagogy.
More from George Polya
All quotes →To teach effectively a teacher must develop a feeling for his subject; he cannot make his students sense its vitality if he does not sense it himself. He cannot share his enthusiasm when he has no enthusiasm to share. How he makes his point may be as important as the point he makes; he must personally feel it to be important.
George PolyaRead
Mathematics is not a spectator sport!
George PolyaRead
Mathematics is being lazy. Mathematics is letting the principles do the work for you so that you do not have to do the work for yourself
George PolyaRead
In order to translate a sentence from English into French two things are necessary. First, we must understand thoroughly the English sentence. Second, we must be familiar with the forms of expression peculiar to the French language. The situation is very similar when we attempt to express in mathematical symbols a condition proposed in words. First, we must understand thoroughly the condition. Second, we must be familiar with the forms of mathematical expression.
George PolyaRead
Mathematics is the cheapest science. Unlike physics or chemistry, it does not require any expensive equipment. All one needs for mathematics is a pencil and paper.
George PolyaRead
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