MCC Daily Tribune
Quotes That Inspire
This week's quote resonates not only for the reasons Dave Boni cites in his submission but also within the context of our current COVID-19 crisis. Dave inspires students who take ESOL/Transitional Studies courses.
"There is no royal road to geometry." (Euclid)
According to Dave, "This [quote] was Euclid's answer he purportedly spoke to his pharaoh, Ptolemy 1st, who sponsored his work. The ruler found Euclid's Elements, 13 books on geometry, too perplexing. So, he asked Euclid to show him an easier way to understand it.
"According to the philosopher, Proclus, Euclid quipped, 'There is no royal road to geometry.' The Greek word for 'road' here takes the narrower meaning 'short cut.'
"Good math teachers try to simplify complex concepts for students. Anyone will eventually struggle if they pursue math far enough. The quote expresses the idea that there is no preferential treatment for society's elite. As a faculty member at a community college, which I consider to be the people's college, I find the study of mathematics, in this sense, to be a public trust in our democracy."
Thank you, Dave.
Just as there is no short cut to comprehending mathematics, there is no short cut to coping with COVID-19. As a College, as a community, as a state, a nation, and an interconnected world, this biological hazard shows no preferential treatment for the elite. Addressing such a complex situation requires leadership that can simplify it. Governor Cuomo does this daily at his press conferences. Here at MCC, administrators strive to gain your trust through this crisis by providing facts and guidelines. We respect the myriad of ways faculty, staff and students have adapted so well and so rapidly. There is no royal road to geometry nor to the other side of COVID-19. But we will get there.
Stay safe.
Katherine Douglas
Office of the President
03/27/2020