Arithmetic Quote by Norton Juster
““It's completely logical," explained the Dodecahedron. "The more you want, the less you get, and the less you get, the more you have. Simple arithmetic, that's all. Suppose you had something and added something to it. What would that make?" "More," said Milo quickly. "Quite correct," he nodded. "Now suppose you had something and added nothing to it. What would you have?" "The same," he answered again, without much conviction. "Splendid," cried the Dodecahedron. "And suppose you had something and added less than nothing to it. What would you have then?" "FAMINE!" roared the anguished Humbug, who suddenly realized that that was exactly what he'd eaten twenty-three bowls of.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton Juster, 1961
The passage illustrates paradoxical logic where adding more can reduce, and subtracting can increase, highlighting the absurdity of misapplied arithmetic.
In simple terms: Adding more can make less, and taking away can make more.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about cause and effect.
Themes
paradox
logic
absurdity
critical thinking
Mood
playful
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- education
- philosophical discussions
- teaching concepts
- creative problem solving
Key Concepts
mathematical paradox
semantic inversion
Questions to Reflect On
- How does context change the meaning of logical statements?
- When can contradictions be useful?
A Different Perspective
The logic only works in a fictional, nonsensical context and shouldn't be taken literally.
