"Mathematics is a game played according to certain simple rules with meaningless marks on paper"

In this quote, mathematician David Hilbert is describing mathematics as a game with basic rules and worthless marks on paper. This may appear like a dismissive or even insulting statement, but in truth, Hilbert is highlighting the appeal and complexity of mathematics. By describing the symbols and formulas utilized in mathematics as "useless marks," he is emphasizing the abstract nature of the subject. Mathematics is not bound by the constraints of language or cultural context, however rather it is a universal language that can be comprehended and played by anybody, regardless of their background. Hilbert's quote challenges us to see mathematics as a spirited and imaginative pursuit, rather than a rigid and daunting one.