What is the difference between method and device? A method is a device which you use twice.
George PolyaIt is better to solve one problem five different ways, than to solve five problems one way.
George PolyaHilbert once had a student in mathematics who stopped coming to his lectures, and he was finally told the young man had gone off to become a poet. Hilbert is reported to have remarked: 'I never thought he had enough imagination to be a mathematician.'
George PolyaThere was a seminar for advanced students in Zรผrich that I was teaching and von Neumann was in the class. I came to a certain theorem, and I said it is not proved and it may be difficult. Von Neumann didn't say anything but after five minutes he raised his hand. When I called on him he went to the blackboard and proceeded to write down the proof. After that I was afraid of von Neumann.
George Polya