Just came across two quotes attributed to physicist Murray Gell-Mann:
- If I have seen farther than others, it is because I am surrounded by dwarves.
- [On the Feynman Problem-Solving Algorithm]
- Write down the problem.
- Think very hard.
- Write down the answer.
(In case you're unfamiliar with the original of that first bit, the line is a parody of a line from Newton.)
My favorite variation, with which you're probably familiar, is attributed to MIT prof Hal Abelson: "If I have not seen as far as others, it is because giants were standing on my shoulders."
:) :) I don't think I had heard that one either—very nice. Made me laugh—thanks for posting it!