Book Quote by Morris Kline
“The writing in mathematics text is not only laconic to a fault; it is cold, monotonous, dry, dull, and even ungrammatical... The books are not only printed by machines; they are written by machines.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Mathematics: The Loss of Certainty, 1985
Mathematical writing is overly terse, mechanical, and lacks human warmth, making it hard to engage.
In simple terms: Math texts are dry and mechanical.
Key Takeaway
Seek clearer, more human writing.
Themes
communication
education
clarity
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
thought‑provoking
When to use this quote
- teaching
- textbook authoring
- academic publishing
- student study
- editing
Key Concepts
pedagogy
language
automation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance brevity with readability?
- What role should narrative play in math?
A Different Perspective
Overly simplistic prose may sacrifice precision.
![“[The error in the teaching of mathematics is that] mathematics is expected either to be immediately attractive to students on its own merits or to be accepted by students solely on the basis of the teacher's assurance that it will be helpful in later life. [And yet,] mathematlcs is the key to…” quote by Morris Kline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/923/morris-kline-25507_accepted_the-error-in-the-teaching-of-mathematics_1484251.jpg)
