I constantly meet people who are doubtful, generally without due reason, about their potential capacity [as mathematicians]. The first test is whether you got anything out of geometry. To have disliked or failed to get on with other [mathematical] subjects need mean nothing; much drill and drudgery is unavoidable before they can get started, and bad teaching can make them unintelligible even to a born mathematician.
"Littlewood's Miscellany".
![I constantly meet people who are doubtful, generally without due reason, about their potential capacity [as mathematicians]. The first test is whether you got anything out of geometry. To have disliked or failed to get](http://cdn.quoteddaily.com/images/john-edensor-littlewood/i-constantly-meet-people-who-are-doubtful-generally-without-due-reason-about-their-potential-capacity-as-mathematicians-the-first-test.jpg)