Excellence Quote by Bertrand Russell
“The true spirit of delight, the exaltation, the sense of being more than Man, which is the touchstone of the highest excellence, is to be found in mathematics as surely as poetry.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on Mathematics and Poetry, Bertrand Russell, 1945
The highest form of excellence blends the joy of mathematics with the transcendence of poetry, showing that both disciplines share a deep, uplifting spirit.
In simple terms: Mathematics and poetry together reveal profound joy and excellence.
Seek beauty in both logic and art.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- teaching
- writing
- problem solving
- artistic expression
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can math inspire poetic thought?
- What does excellence mean to you?
Risk of over‑idealizing both fields, ignoring practical limits.