---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I can see that, without being excited…"
description: "\"I can see that, without being excited, mathematics can look pointless and cold.\" — Maryam Mirzakhani"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af2/maryam-mirzakhani-24546_being_i-can-see-that-without-being-excited-mat_1999279.jpg"
---

#  I can see that, without being excited, mathematics can…

![“I can see that, without being excited, mathematics can look pointless and cold.” quote by Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af2/maryam-mirzakhani-24546_being_i-can-see-that-without-being-excited-mat_1999279.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af2/maryam-mirzakhani-24546_being_i-can-see-that-without-being-excited-mat_1999279.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af2/maryam-mirzakhani-24546_being_i-can-see-that-without-being-excited-mat_1999279.jpg)

> “I can see that, without being excited, mathematics can look pointless and cold.”

[Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Without excitement, math appears sterile and meaningless, highlighting the need for passion.

**In simple terms:** Math can seem cold without interest.

Key Takeaway

Find wonder in mathematics.

Themes

curiosity beauty education

Mood

inspirational thoughtful

Type

educational philosophical

When to use this quote

- classroom teaching
- public outreach
- personal study

Key Concepts

abstract thinking inspiration

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you spark excitement in math?
- What aspects of math inspire you?

A Different Perspective

Complexity can overwhelm beginners.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Cold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold/) [Excited](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excited/) [Excited Mathematics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excited-mathematics-3508530/) [Look](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/look/) [Look Pointless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/look-pointless-3508532/) [Mathematics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mathematics/) [Mathematics Look](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mathematics-look-3508531/) [Pointless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pointless/) [Pointless Cold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pointless-cold-3508533/)

## Related quotes

> [I don't think that everyone should become a mathematician, but I do believe that many students don't give mathematics a real chance. I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/i-don-t-think-that-everyone-should-become-a-mathematician-but-i-do-2/)

[Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

> [“It's hard, and it's painful, and it's tiresome, and it's lonely, and if on top of i, you really don't think you're gonna make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/z-e-haslie/it-s-hard-and-it-s-painful-and-it-s-tiresome-and-it-s-lonely-and-if/)

[Zøe Haslie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/z-e-haslie/)

> [Buddhism teaches that a craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security. It teaches me to stop following every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiger-woods/buddhism-teaches-that-a-craving-for-things-outside-ourselves-causes/)

[Tiger Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiger-woods/)

> [“If you have no intention of loving or being loved then the whole journey is pointless”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-dicamillo/if-you-have-no-intention-of-loving-or-being-loved-then-the-whole/)

[Kate DiCamillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-dicamillo/)

> [Perhaps the meaning of all human activity lies in the artistic consciousness, in the pointless and selfless creative act? Perhaps our capacity to create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrei-tarkovsky/perhaps-the-meaning-of-all-human-activity-lies-in-the-artistic/)

[Andrei Tarkovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrei-tarkovsky/)

> [Getting involved with pointless drama is stupid, there is more important things in life than to worry about than what someone thinks of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/getting-involved-with-pointless-drama-is-stupid-there-is-more/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I had become a perfect fake human, saying the stupid and pointless things that humans say to each other all day long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-lindsay/i-had-become-a-perfect-fake-human-saying-the-stupid-and-pointless/)

[Jeff Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-lindsay/)

> [I walked 10 miles in this dark road but still,i didn't still see the ending](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cath-chatto/i-walked-10-miles-in-this-dark-road-but-still-i-didn-t-still-see-the/)

[Cath Chatto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cath-chatto/)

> [I love 'Pointless.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lycett/i-love-pointless/)

[Joe Lycett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lycett/)

> [Might have, could have, may have, should have—the haves and have nots reduced to pointless possibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-brooks/might-have-could-have-may-have-should-have-the-haves-and-have-nots/)

[Terry Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-brooks/)

> [We had the city trying to demolish two of our exhibition spaces, which was at first pretty disturbing. But following the freak-out is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsha-kaechele/we-had-the-city-trying-to-demolish-two-of-our-exhibition-spaces-which/)

[Kirsha Kaechele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsha-kaechele/)

> [There comes a time in your life when you have to let go of all the pointless drama and the people who create it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-comes-a-time-in-your-life-when-you-have-to-let-go-of-all-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I'm not going to drag it out or make a point, because points are pointless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-jordan/i-m-not-going-to-drag-it-out-or-make-a-point-because-points-are/)

[Simon Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-jordan/)

> [The Fundamental Principle that governs - or ought to govern -human affairs if we wish to avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, or pointless utopias, is negotiation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/the-fundamental-principle-that-governs-or-ought-to-govern-human/)

[Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/)

> [It's pointless to be critical of your stuff once it's done. I don't spend a lot of time agonising over it. It's of no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/it-s-pointless-to-be-critical-of-your-stuff-once-it-s-done-i-don-t/)

[Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/)

## More by Maryam Mirzakhani

> [As a kid, I dreamt of becoming a writer. My most exciting pastime was reading novels; in fact, I would read anything I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/as-a-kid-i-dreamt-of-becoming-a-writer-my-most-exciting-pastime-was/)

[Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

> [My older brother was the person who got me interested in science in general. He used to tell me what he learned in school.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/my-older-brother-was-the-person-who-got-me-interested-in-science-in/)

[Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

> [I grew up in a family with three siblings. My parents were always very supportive and encouraging. It was important for them that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/i-grew-up-in-a-family-with-three-siblings-my-parents-were-always-very/)

[Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

> [I did poorly in math for a couple of years in middle school; I was just not interested in thinking about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/i-did-poorly-in-math-for-a-couple-of-years-in-middle-school-i-was/)

[Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

> [The beauty of mathematics only shows itself to more patient followers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/the-beauty-of-mathematics-only-shows-itself-to-more-patient-followers/)

[Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

> [I don't have any particular recipe. It is the reason why doing research is challenging as well as attractive. It is like being lost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/i-don-t-have-any-particular-recipe-it-is-the-reason-why-doing/)

[Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

> [I don't give up easily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/i-don-t-give-up-easily/)

[Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

> [The most rewarding part of my work is the "Aha" moment, the excitement of discovery and enjoyment of understanding something new - the feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/the-most-rewarding-part-of-my-work-is-the-aha-moment-the-excitement/)

[Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

> [Sometimes, properties of a fixed hyperbolic surface can be better understood by studying the moduli space that parameterises all hyperbolic structures on a given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/sometimes-properties-of-a-fixed-hyperbolic-surface-can-be-better/)

[Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

> [I don't think that everyone should become a mathematician, but I do believe that many students don't give mathematics a real chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/i-don-t-think-that-everyone-should-become-a-mathematician-but-i-do/)

[Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

> [In particular, I am interested in understanding hyperbolic surfaces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/in-particular-i-am-interested-in-understanding-hyperbolic-surfaces/)

[Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

> [I like crossing the imaginary boundaries people set up between different fields - it's very refreshing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/i-like-crossing-the-imaginary-boundaries-people-set-up-between/)

[Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

> [I don't think that everyone should become a mathematician, but I do believe that many students don't give mathematics a real chance. I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/i-don-t-think-that-everyone-should-become-a-mathematician-but-i-do-2/)

[Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

> [I don't get easily disappointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/i-don-t-get-easily-disappointed/)

[Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

> [I'm quite confident, in some sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/i-m-quite-confident-in-some-sense/)

[Maryam Mirzakhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

[Explore all 24 Maryam Mirzakhani quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/)

## More Being quotes

> [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/)

[Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/)

> [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/)

[Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/)

> [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/)

[Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/)

> [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/)

[Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/)

> [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/)

[Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/)

> [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/)

[Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/)

> [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/)

[James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/)

> [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/)

[Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/)

> [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/)

[Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/)

> [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/)

[Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/)

> [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/)

[Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/)

> [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/)

[Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/)

> [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/)

[Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/)

> [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/)

[Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/)

[Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I can see that, without being excited, mathematics can look pointless and cold.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Maryam Mirzakhani"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/i-can-see-that-without-being-excited-mathematics-can-look-pointless/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Being"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/i-can-see-that-without-being-excited-mathematics-can-look-pointless/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af2/maryam-mirzakhani-24546_being_i-can-see-that-without-being-excited-mat_1999279.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af2/maryam-mirzakhani-24546_being_i-can-see-that-without-being-excited-mat_1999279.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af2/maryam-mirzakhani-24546_being_i-can-see-that-without-being-excited-mat_1999279.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I can see that, without being excited, mathematics can look pointless and cold.” — Maryam Mirzakhani",
                "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": "Maryam Mirzakhani",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryam-mirzakhani/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I can see that, without being...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/i-can-see-that-without-being-excited-mathematics-can-look-pointless/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryam-mirzakhani/i-can-see-that-without-being-excited-mathematics-can-look-pointless/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
