Emmy Noether

Physics German 1882 – 1935 640 quotes

Noether's theorem linking symmetry and conservation laws

Most quoted

"The development of abstract algebra, which is one of the most characteristic features of mathematics today, is the inevitable outcome of the historical evolution of our science."

— from Attributed from lectures

"My work is not about finding solutions to specific problems, but about developing general theories that can be applied to many problems."

"For all that, I should like to thank the founder of the theory, Herr Dedekind; his trend of thought has affected the above developments."

— from Paper: 'Abstrakter Aufbau der Idealtheorie in algebraischen Zahl- und Funktionenkörpern', 1927

All quotes by Emmy Noether (640)

In the construction of a mathematical theory, the choice of fundamental concepts is to a certain degree arbitrary.

Attributed from lectures

The truly creative principle in mathematics is the proof.

Attributed remark

We must know. We will know.

Paraphrase of Hilbert, often associated with her spirit

The energy conservation law is a consequence of the temporal symmetry of physical laws.

Theorem (Noether's Theorem) 1918

Every differentiable symmetry of the action of a physical system has a corresponding conservation law.

Theorem (Noether's Theorem) 1918

The momentum conservation law is a consequence of the spatial symmetry (homogeneity) of physical laws.

Theorem (Noether's Theorem) 1918

The angular momentum conservation law is a consequence of the isotropy of space.

Theorem (Noether's Theorem) 1918

The invariance of the action integral under an infinite continuous group leads to dependencies between the field equations.

Paper: 'Invariante Variationsprobleme' 1918

I have not been able to find time for the reading of the literature; the preparation of my lectures takes all my time.

Letter

I feel deeply that in my scientific work I have only done what I had to do.

Attributed remark

The work itself, not the person, should be judged.

Attributed remark on discrimination

It is the duty of every mathematician to make their field accessible to the next generation.

Attributed from teaching philosophy

Algebra is the offer of freedom.

Attributed remark

In mathematics, the art of asking questions is more valuable than solving problems.

Attributed remark

A mathematical concept is not truly understood until one can explain it to the first person one meets on the street.

Attributed teaching principle

The beauty of a mathematical theorem lies in its clarity and generality.

Attributed remark

One must always generalize.

Mathematical motto

The essence of mathematics lies in its freedom.

Paraphrase of Cantor, often associated with her

I do not see why the sex of the candidate is an argument against her admission as a Privatdozent.

Hilbert's defense of Noether (often paraphrased as her sentiment) 1915

The faculty is not a bathhouse.

Hilbert's defense of Noether (attributed context) 1915