Ability Quote by Malcolm Gladwell
“We sometimes think of being good at mathematics as an innate ability. You either have "it" or you don't. But to Schoenfeld, it's not so much ability as attitude. You master mathematics if you are willing to try.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Mindset and Mathematics, Malcolm Gladwell, 2010
Mathematical ability depends more on attitude and effort than innate talent; willingness to try leads to mastery.
In simple terms: Math success is about attitude, not just talent.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate a growth mindset for learning.
Themes
education
mindset
attitude
growth
mathematics
Mood
motivational
encouraging
Type
educational
psychological
When to use this quote
- classroom teaching
- self‑study
- mentoring
- coaching
Key Concepts
Growth mindset
perseverance
skill development
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you shift from a fixed to a growth mindset?
- What practices reinforce persistent effort?
A Different Perspective
Talent alone cannot guarantee success.
![“[Norden] said, with the Mark 15 Norden bombsight, he could drop a bomb into a pickle barrel at 20,000 feet.” quote by Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/565/malcolm-gladwell-348_barrels_norden-said-with-the-mark-15-norden-bomb_62474.jpg)
