I know it's a rare privilege, but if one can really tackle something in adult life that means that much to you, then it's more rewarding than anything I can imagine.
Interpretation
Pursuing your passions in adulthood can lead to profound fulfillment and rewards.
This quote by Andrew Wiles emphasizes the rarity and significance of finding something in adult life that you are truly passionate about. He suggests that dedicating oneself to such a pursuit can result in a sense of fulfillment and achievement that surpasses any other experiences in life, highlighting the importance of passion and commitment in achieving personal success.
In practice
During a motivational speech at a conference, you could use this quote to inspire attendees to find and pursue their true passions.
Perhaps I could best describe my experience of doing mathematics in terms of entering a dark mansion. You go into the first room and it's dark, completely dark. You stumble around, bumping into the furniture. Gradually, you learn where each piece of furniture is. And finally, after six months or so, you find the light switch and turn it on. Suddenly, it's all illuminated and you can see exactly where you were. Then you enter the next dark room.
Always try the problem that matters most to you.
The definition of a good mathematical problem is the mathematics it generates rather than the problem itself.
There's no pressure for me to go out there and say, I've got to have a top 40 hit because it's not going to happen.
I lived a fairly average, anonymous small-town life till I got the idea to do Nine Inch Nails. Then I locked myself in a studio for a year, and then got off the tour bus two years after that, and I didn't know who I'd turned into.
Business is fun. Controlling your own destiny is fun. Creating an idea and turning it into a movie; finding an artist and guiding their career and bringing them to some type of status - there's joy in that.
John Kerry believes in an America where hard work is rewarded.
I want to be remembered as the guy who gave his all whenever he was on the field.
As I've conducted my interviews with crowdsourcing entrepreneurs and experts, it's constantly hit me that your ability to do something big and bold is really a function of the size and quality of your crowd.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.