Quote by Richard Feynman, The Dignified P

If you're teaching a class, you can think about the elementary things that you know very well. These things are kind of fun and delightful. It doesn't do any harm to think them over again. Is there a better way to present them? The elementary things are easy to think about; if you can't think of a new thought, no harm done; what you thought about it before is good enough for the class. If you do think of something new, you're rather pleased that you have a new way of looking at it.The questions of the students are often the source of new research. They often ask profound questions that I've thought about at times and then given up on, so to speak, for a while. It wouldn't do me any harm to think about them again and see if I can go any further now. The students may not be able to see the thing I want to answer, or the subtleties I want to think about, but they remind me of a problem by asking questions in the neighborhood of that problem. It's not so easy to remind yourself of these things.

Summary

This quote by physicist Richard Feynman emphasizes the importance of revisiting and teaching elementary concepts. Feynman suggests that thinking about these fundamental ideas can be enjoyable and beneficial. When teaching a class, it is valuable to consider presenting these concepts in new and improved ways. Additionally, Feynman believes that students' questions often inspire new research and insights. By pondering these questions alongside the students, researchers can potentially address unresolved problems and explore the intricacies of the subject. The quote highlights the role of students' inquiries in prompting fresh perspectives and further development of ideas.