John von Neumann famous quotes

04-17-2025

If people do not believe that mathematics is simple, it is only because they do not realize how complicated life is.
-- John von Neumann

#Believe #Math #Simple
There probably is a God. Many things are easier to explain if there is than if there isn't.
-- John von Neumann

#God #Easier
If one has really technically penetrated a subject, things that previously seemed in complete contrast, might be purely mathematical transformations of each other.
-- John von Neumann

#Might #Transformation #Mathematical
The calculus was the first achievement of modern mathematics and it is difficult to overestimate its importance. I think it defines more unequivocally than anything else the inception of modern mathematics; and the system of mathematical analysis, which is its logical development, still constitutes the greatest technical advance in exact thinking.
-- John von Neumann

#Math #Thinking #Achievement
Anyone who attempts to generate random numbers by deterministic means is, of course, living in a state of sin.
-- John von Neumann

#Mean #Science #Numbers
When we talk mathematics, we may be discussing a secondary language built on the primary language of the nervous system.
-- John von Neumann

#May #Language #Nervous
There's no sense in being precise when you don't even know what you're talking about.
-- John von Neumann

#Talking #Programming
Young man, in mathematics you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
-- John von Neumann

#Science #Men #Mathematics
Truth is much too complicated to allow anything but approximations.
-- John von Neumann

#Religion #Complicated #Truth Is
It would appear that we have reached the limits of what it is possible to achieve with computer technology, although one should be careful with such statements, as they tend to sound pretty silly in 5 years.
-- John von Neumann

#Silly #Technology #Years
The emphasis on mathematical methods seems to be shifted more towards combinatorics and set theory - and away from the algorithm of differential equations which dominates mathematical physics.
-- John von Neumann

#Algorithms #Physics #Mathematics
With four parameters I can fit an elephant, and with five I can make him wiggle his trunk.
-- John von Neumann

#Elephants #Four #Fit
Anyone who considers arithmetical methods of producing random digits is, of course, in a state of sin.
-- John von Neumann

#Witty #Powerful #Humorous
The sciences do not try to explain, they hardly even try to interpret, they mainly make models. By a model is meant a mathematical construct which, with the addition of certain verbal interpretations, describes observed phenomena. The justification of such a mathematical construct is solely and precisely that it is expected to work-that is, correctly to describe phenomena from a reasonably wide area.
-- John von Neumann

#Trying #Certain #Interpretation
It is just as foolish to complain that people are selfish and treacherous as it is to complain that the magnetic field does not increase unless the electric field has a curl. Both are laws of nature.
-- John von Neumann

#Selfish #Law #People
Neumann, to a physicist seeking help with a difficult problem: Simple. This can be solved by using the method of characteristics. Physicist: I'm afraid I don't understand the method of characteristics. Neumann: In mathematics you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
-- John von Neumann

#Science #Simple #Understanding
It is exceptional that one should be able to acquire the understanding of a process without having previously acquired a deep familiarity with running it, with using it, before one has assimilated it in an instinctive and empirical way... Thus any discussion of the nature of intellectual effort in any field is difficult, unless it presupposes an easy, routine familiarity with that field. In mathematics this limitation becomes very severe.
-- John von Neumann

#Running #Effort #Understanding
Problems are often stated in vague terms... because it is quite uncertain what the problems really are.
-- John von Neumann

#Problem #Uncertain #Term
You insist that there is something a machine cannot do. If you tell me precisely what it is a machine cannot do, then I can always make a machine which will do just that.
-- John von Neumann

#Justice #Machines
All stable processes we shall predict. All unstable processes we shall control.
-- John von Neumann

#Process #Unstable
Technological possibilities are irresistible to man. If man can go to the moon, he will. If he can control the climate, he will.
-- John von Neumann

#Moon #Men #Climate
I would like to make a confession which may seem immoral: I do not believe in Hilbert space anymore.
-- John von Neumann

#Believe #Space #May
Any one who considers arithmetical methods of producing random digits is, of course, in a state of sin. For, as has been pointed out several times, there is no such thing as a random numberâ€“ there are only methods to produce random numbers, and a strict arithmetic procedure of course is not such a method.
-- John von Neumann

#Numbers #Sin #Method
You don't have to be responsible for the world that you're in.
-- John von Neumann

#World #Responsible #Being Responsible
Kurt Godel's achievement in modern logic is singular and monumental - indeed it is more than a monument, it is a landmark which will remain visible far in space and time. ... The subject of logic has certainly completely changed its nature and possibilities with Godel's achievement.
-- John von Neumann

#Space #Achievement #Logic

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