Art Quote by George Polya
“Solving problems is a practical art, like swimming, or skiing, or playing the piano: you can learn it only by imitation and practice.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Mathematics and Plausible Reasoning, 1949
Problem solving is a skill honed through mimicking experts and repeated effort, similar to mastering physical arts.
In simple terms: Learn by copying and practicing.
Practice by others.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- learning a new instrument
- training for sports
- solving complex work problems
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you incorporate feedback into practice?
- What role does creativity play after mastering basics?
Practice alone may not guarantee insight without reflection.