--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am obliged to interpolate some remarks…" description: "\"I am obliged to interpolate some remarks on a very difficult subject: proof and its importance in mathematics. All physicists, and a good many quite re..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88e/g-h-hardy-8763_certain_i-am-obliged-to-interpolate-some-remarks_2798760.jpg" --- # I am obliged to interpolate some remarks on a very… ![“I am obliged to interpolate some remarks on a very difficult subject: proof and its importance in mathematics. All physicists, and a good many quite respectable mathematicians, are contemptuous about proof. I have heard Professor Eddington, for example, maintain that proof, as pure mathematicians…” quote by G. H. Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88e/g-h-hardy-8763_certain_i-am-obliged-to-interpolate-some-remarks_2798760.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88e/g-h-hardy-8763_certain_i-am-obliged-to-interpolate-some-remarks_2798760.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88e/g-h-hardy-8763_certain_i-am-obliged-to-interpolate-some-remarks_2798760.jpg) > “I am obliged to interpolate some remarks on a very difficult subject: proof and its importance in mathematics. All physicists, and a good many quite respectable mathematicians, are contemptuous about proof. I have heard Professor Eddington, for example, maintain that proof, as pure mathematicians understand it, is really quite uninteresting and unimportant, and that no one who is really certain that he has found something good should waste his time looking for proof.” [G. H. Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-h-hardy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Proof is undervalued in physics and some mathematics, yet it is essential for certainty. **In simple terms:** Proof gives confidence in results. Key Takeaway Respect and seek rigorous proof. Themes mathematics physics proof certainty Mood analytical serious Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - research - education - peer review Key Concepts philosophy of science logic rigor Questions to Reflect On - How does proof influence scientific progress? - When is proof less critical? A Different Perspective Some fields prioritize intuition over proof. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Difficult subjects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult-subjects/) [Good man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-man/) [Mathematician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mathematician/) [Mathematics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mathematics/) [Professors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/professors/) [Waste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waste/) ## Related quotes > [Relations between pure and applied mathematicians are based on trust and understanding. Namely, pure mathematicians do not trust applied mathematicians, and applied mathematicians do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/relations-between-pure-and-applied-mathematicians-are-based-on-trust/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You may never have proof of your importance but you are more important than you think. 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