--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Thus, be it understood, to demonstrate a…" description: "\"Thus, be it understood, to demonstrate a theorem, it is neither necessary nor even advantageous to know what it means ...\" — Henri Poincare" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d46/henri-poincare-3339_demonstrate_thus-be-it-understood-to-demonstrate-a-t_2968535.jpg" --- # Thus, be it understood, to demonstrate a theorem, it is… ![“Thus, be it understood, to demonstrate a theorem, it is neither necessary nor even advantageous to know what it means ...” quote by Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d46/henri-poincare-3339_demonstrate_thus-be-it-understood-to-demonstrate-a-t_2968535.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d46/henri-poincare-3339_demonstrate_thus-be-it-understood-to-demonstrate-a-t_2968535.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d46/henri-poincare-3339_demonstrate_thus-be-it-understood-to-demonstrate-a-t_2968535.jpg) > “Thus, be it understood, to demonstrate a theorem, it is neither necessary nor even advantageous to know what it means ...” [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understanding a theorem isn’t essential for proving it; the proof can stand on its own logical structure. **In simple terms:** Proofs can be independent of meaning. Key Takeaway Focus on logical rigor. Themes mathematics logic philosophy Mood analytical curious Type philosophical academic When to use this quote - research - teaching - academic writing Key Concepts epistemology formal proof Questions to Reflect On - When is intuition more valuable than formal proof? - Can a proof be appreciated without understanding its meaning? A Different Perspective Neglecting meaning may limit deeper insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Theorems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theorems/) ## Related quotes > [Thus, be it understood, to demonstrate a theorem, it is neither necessary nor even advantageous to know what it means. The geometer might be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/thus-be-it-understood-to-demonstrate-a-theorem-it-is-neither-2/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [One geometry cannot be more true than another; it can only be more convenient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/one-geometry-cannot-be-more-true-than-another-it-can-only-be-more-2/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [An individual's refusal to carry out the criminal acts of his government sets the stage, in the most effective way possible, for the attempt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/an-individual-s-refusal-to-carry-out-the-criminal-acts-of-his/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [We in the Netherlands have the right to demonstrate and the right to speak up if we don't agree with something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geert-wilders/we-in-the-netherlands-have-the-right-to-demonstrate-and-the-right-to/) [Geert Wilders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geert-wilders/) > [Our goal at Home Theater Films is to inspire and entertain our audience. We want to make great movies that everyone can enjoy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corbin-bernsen/our-goal-at-home-theater-films-is-to-inspire-and-entertain-our/) [Corbin Bernsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corbin-bernsen/) > [If President Obama has his way, you won't recognize the government, the free market system, or, frankly, America as you once knew it. His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ehrlich/if-president-obama-has-his-way-you-won-t-recognize-the-government-the/) [Bob Ehrlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ehrlich/) > [“To demonstrate is to show clearly & deliberately, and to describe is to give a detailed account in words. That thing called 'Love' is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaotan-fawehinmi/to-demonstrate-is-to-show-clearly-deliberately-and-to-describe-is-to/) [Olaotan Fawehinmi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaotan-fawehinmi/) > [The real question isn't whether you love your kids or not, but how well you are able to demonstrate your love and caring so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-martson/the-real-question-isn-t-whether-you-love-your-kids-or-not-but-how/) Stephanie Martson > [In the facades we put on for others we demonstrate our potential; through our children we reveal our reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-kelemen/in-the-facades-we-put-on-for-others-we-demonstrate-our-potential/) Lawrence Kelemen > [It is not good to demonstrate your luxury and your wealth: to rub it in the faces of others is insulting. So you should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-potanin/it-is-not-good-to-demonstrate-your-luxury-and-your-wealth-to-rub-it/) [Vladimir Potanin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-potanin/) > [After you have made your commitment to say no to what no longer serves you, you will probably be invited to demonstrate that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/after-you-have-made-your-commitment-to-say-no-to-what-no-longer/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [“A brick could be used to decorate the interior of your anus. Here, bend over and let me demonstrate. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-brick-could-be-used-to-decorate-the-interior-of-your-anus-here-bend/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [You do not have to be convicted or even charged of a crime to be able to demonstrate that you've violated a personal conduct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-goodell/you-do-not-have-to-be-convicted-or-even-charged-of-a-crime-to-be-able/) [Roger Goodell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-goodell/) > [Creating a clear and engaging video explanation of a complex concept is a great way to demonstrate mastery and to help others understand and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sal-khan/creating-a-clear-and-engaging-video-explanation-of-a-complex-concept/) [Sal Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sal-khan/) > [It takes three seconds to say I love you, three minutes to explain, three hours to demonstrate, three days to appreciate, three terms to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megz/it-takes-three-seconds-to-say-i-love-you-three-minutes-to-explain/) Megz ## More by Henri Poincare > [The mathematical facts worthy of being studied are those which, by their analogy with other facts, are capable of leading us to the knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/the-mathematical-facts-worthy-of-being-studied-are-those-which-by/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [. . . by natural selection our mind has adapted itself to the conditions of the external world. It has adopted the geometry most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/by-natural-selection-our-mind-has-adapted-itself-to-the-conditions-of/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [If we knew exactly the laws of nature and the situation of the universe at the initial moment, we could predict exactly the situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/if-we-knew-exactly-the-laws-of-nature-and-the-situation-of-the/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [Absolute space, that is to say, the mark to which it would be necessary to refer the earth to know whether it really moves,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/absolute-space-that-is-to-say-the-mark-to-which-it-would-be-necessary/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [Science is facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/science-is-facts/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [Absolute space, that is to say, the mark to which it would be necessary to refer the earth to know whether it really moves,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/absolute-space-that-is-to-say-the-mark-to-which-it-would-be-necessary-2/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [All of mathematics is a tale about groups.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/all-of-mathematics-is-a-tale-about-groups/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [A cat is witty, he has nerve, he knows how to do precisely the right thing at the right moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/a-cat-is-witty-he-has-nerve-he-knows-how-to-do-precisely-the-right/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [In the old days when people invented a new function they had something useful in mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/in-the-old-days-when-people-invented-a-new-function-they-had/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [Intuition is more important to discovery than logic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/intuition-is-more-important-to-discovery-than-logic/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [Mathematics has a threefold purpose. It must provide an instrument for the study of nature. But this is not all: it has a philosophical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/mathematics-has-a-threefold-purpose-it-must-provide-an-instrument-for/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [Experiment is the sole source of truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/experiment-is-the-sole-source-of-truth/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [“ Qu'une goutee de vin tombe dans un verre d'eau; quelle que soit la loi du movement interne du liquide, nous verrons bientôt se…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/qu-une-goutee-de-vin-tombe-dans-un-verre-d-eau-quelle-que-soit-la-loi/) [Henri Poincaré](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [If that enabled us to predict the succeeding situation with the same approximation, that is all we require, and we should say that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/if-that-enabled-us-to-predict-the-succeeding-situation-with-the-same/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [“ Le savant doit ordonner ; on fait la science avec des faits comme une maison avec des pierres ; mais une accumulation de…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/le-savant-doit-ordonner-on-fait-la-science-avec-des-faits-comme-une/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) [Explore all 130 Henri Poincare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) ## More Demonstrate quotes > [It takes three seconds to say I love you, three minutes to explain, three hours to demonstrate, three days to appreciate, three terms to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megz/it-takes-three-seconds-to-say-i-love-you-three-minutes-to-explain/) Megz > [Creating a clear and engaging video explanation of a complex concept is a great way to demonstrate mastery and to help others understand and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sal-khan/creating-a-clear-and-engaging-video-explanation-of-a-complex-concept/) [Sal Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sal-khan/) > [You do not have to be convicted or even charged of a crime to be able to demonstrate that you've violated a personal conduct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-goodell/you-do-not-have-to-be-convicted-or-even-charged-of-a-crime-to-be-able/) [Roger Goodell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-goodell/) > [“A brick could be used to decorate the interior of your anus. Here, bend over and let me demonstrate. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-brick-could-be-used-to-decorate-the-interior-of-your-anus-here-bend/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [After you have made your commitment to say no to what no longer serves you, you will probably be invited to demonstrate that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/after-you-have-made-your-commitment-to-say-no-to-what-no-longer/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [It is not good to demonstrate your luxury and your wealth: to rub it in the faces of others is insulting. So you should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-potanin/it-is-not-good-to-demonstrate-your-luxury-and-your-wealth-to-rub-it/) [Vladimir Potanin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-potanin/) > [In the facades we put on for others we demonstrate our potential; through our children we reveal our reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-kelemen/in-the-facades-we-put-on-for-others-we-demonstrate-our-potential/) Lawrence Kelemen > [The real question isn't whether you love your kids or not, but how well you are able to demonstrate your love and caring so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-martson/the-real-question-isn-t-whether-you-love-your-kids-or-not-but-how/) Stephanie Martson > [“To demonstrate is to show clearly & deliberately, and to describe is to give a detailed account in words. That thing called 'Love' is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaotan-fawehinmi/to-demonstrate-is-to-show-clearly-deliberately-and-to-describe-is-to/) [Olaotan Fawehinmi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaotan-fawehinmi/) > [If President Obama has his way, you won't recognize the government, the free market system, or, frankly, America as you once knew it. His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ehrlich/if-president-obama-has-his-way-you-won-t-recognize-the-government-the/) [Bob Ehrlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ehrlich/) > [Our goal at Home Theater Films is to inspire and entertain our audience. We want to make great movies that everyone can enjoy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corbin-bernsen/our-goal-at-home-theater-films-is-to-inspire-and-entertain-our/) [Corbin Bernsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corbin-bernsen/) > [We in the Netherlands have the right to demonstrate and the right to speak up if we don't agree with something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geert-wilders/we-in-the-netherlands-have-the-right-to-demonstrate-and-the-right-to/) [Geert Wilders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geert-wilders/) > [An individual's refusal to carry out the criminal acts of his government sets the stage, in the most effective way possible, for the attempt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/an-individual-s-refusal-to-carry-out-the-criminal-acts-of-his/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“Anna took a knife and fork in her beautiful, white, ring-adorned hands and began to demonstrate. She obviously could see that her explanation could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/anna-took-a-knife-and-fork-in-her-beautiful-white-ring-adorned-hands/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Do not waste a minute - not a second - in trying to demonstrate to others the merits of your performance. If your work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-wentworth-higginson/do-not-waste-a-minute-not-a-second-in-trying-to-demonstrate-to-others/) [Thomas Wentworth Higginson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-wentworth-higginson/) Browse all 103 Demonstrate quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Thus, be it understood, to demonstrate a theorem, it is neither necessary nor even advantageous to know what it means ...", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Henri Poincare" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/thus-be-it-understood-to-demonstrate-a-theorem-it-is-neither/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Demonstrate" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/thus-be-it-understood-to-demonstrate-a-theorem-it-is-neither/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d46/henri-poincare-3339_demonstrate_thus-be-it-understood-to-demonstrate-a-t_2968535.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d46/henri-poincare-3339_demonstrate_thus-be-it-understood-to-demonstrate-a-t_2968535.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d46/henri-poincare-3339_demonstrate_thus-be-it-understood-to-demonstrate-a-t_2968535.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Thus, be it understood, to demonstrate a theorem, it is neither necessary nor even advantageous to know what…” — Henri Poincare", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Henri Poincare", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Thus, be it understood, to demonstrate...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/thus-be-it-understood-to-demonstrate-a-theorem-it-is-neither/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/thus-be-it-understood-to-demonstrate-a-theorem-it-is-neither/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```