--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are two ways to do great…" description: "\"There are two ways to do great mathematics. The first is to be smarter than everybody else. The second way is to be stupider than everybody else - but ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/raoul-bott-271548_firsts_there-are-two-ways-to-do-great-mathemati_2508557.png" --- # There are two ways to do great mathematics. The first is… ![“There are two ways to do great mathematics. The first is to be smarter than everybody else. The second way is to be stupider than everybody else - but persistent.” quote by Raoul Bott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/raoul-bott-271548_firsts_there-are-two-ways-to-do-great-mathemati_2508557.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/raoul-bott-271548_firsts_there-are-two-ways-to-do-great-mathemati_2508557.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/raoul-bott-271548_firsts_there-are-two-ways-to-do-great-mathemati_2508557.png) > “There are two ways to do great mathematics. The first is to be smarter than everybody else. The second way is to be stupider than everybody else - but persistent.” Raoul Bott ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Great mathematics can be achieved by being smarter or by persisting despite being less clever. **In simple terms:** Great math comes from intelligence or persistence. Key Takeaway Persist even when not the smartest. Themes mathematics learning intelligence persistence growth Mood reflective practical motivational Type Firsts:0 Math:1 Mathematics:1 Persistent:1 Smarter:1 Two:0 Way:0 Smarter Everybody:0 Mathematics Smarter:0 Great Mathematics:1 Stupider Everybody:0 When to use this quote - education - research - self‑study - academic mentoring Key Concepts cognitive strategies study habits resilience Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance intelligence and effort? - When is persistence insufficient? A Different Perspective Persistence alone may not overcome fundamental gaps. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Math](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/math/) [Mathematics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mathematics/) [Persistent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persistent/) ## Related quotes > [ In \[great mathematics\] there is a very high degree of unexpectedness, combined with inevitability and economy. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-h-hardy/in-great-mathematics-there-is-a-very-high-degree-of-unexpectedness/) [G. H. Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-h-hardy/) > [Oh, you got an 'A' on your test? 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