1,479 books
—
5,281 voters


“Pedantry and mastery are opposite attitudes toward rules. 1. To apply a rule to the letter, rigidly, unquestioningly, in cases where it fits and in cases where it does not fit, is pedantry. Some pedants are poor fools; they never did understand the rule which they apply so conscientiously and so indiscriminately. Some pedants are quite successful; they understood their rule, at least in the beginning (before they became pedants), and chose a good one that fits in many cases and fails only occasionally. To apply a rule with natural ease, with judgment, noticing the cases where it fits, and without ever letting the words of the rule obscure the purpose of the action or the opportunities of the situation, is mastery.”
― How to Solve It: A New Aspect of Mathematical Method
― How to Solve It: A New Aspect of Mathematical Method
“It is curious that while good people go to great lengths to spare their children from suffering, few of them seem to notice that the one (and only) guaranteed way to prevent all the suffering of their children is not to bring those children into existence in the first place.”
― Better Never to Have Been: The Harm of Coming into Existence
― Better Never to Have Been: The Harm of Coming into Existence

“Of course I talk to myself. I like a good speaker, and I appreciate an intelligent audience.”
― The Ladies of the Corridor
― The Ladies of the Corridor

Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Libra ...more
Andrew’s 2024 Year in Books
Take a look at Andrew’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
Favorite Genres
Polls voted on by Andrew
Lists liked by Andrew