Eric Temple Bell, The Development of Mathematics (1940)
“
In the entire history of Greek mathematics, all but the incomparable Archimedes and a few of the more heterodox sophists appear to have hated or feared the mathematical infinite. Analysis was thwarted when it might have prospered.
— Eric Temple Bell on Mathematical analysis
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "In the entire history of Greek mathematics, all but the incomparable Archimedes and a few of the more heterodox sophists appear to have hated or feared the mathematical infinite. Analysis was thwarted when it might have prospered." in the context of "Eric Temple Bell, The Development of Mathematics (1940)" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Mathematical analysis" (Quotes: Quotes are arranged alphabetically by author, A - F)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Tags
About Eric Temple Bell
Eric Temple Bell (7 February 1883 – 21 December 1960) was a mathematician and science fiction author, born in Scotland who lived in the United States for most of his life. He published non-fiction using his given name and fiction as John Taine.
About Eric Temple Bell
Eric Temple Bell (7 February 1883 – 21 December 1960) was a mathematician and science fiction author, born in Scotland who lived in the United States for most of his life. He published non-fiction using his given name and fiction as John Taine.
View all quotes →