Player Piano

by

Kurt Vonnegut

Professor Ludwig von Neumann Character Analysis

Professor von Neumann is a former professor of political science at Union College in New York. When the social sciences building was destroyed in order to make way for a new laboratory, though, von Neumann found himself without a job. This is why he joins the Ghost Shirt Society, where he becomes one of the leaders, along with Lasher, Finnerty, and Paul.

Professor Ludwig von Neumann Quotes in Player Piano

The Player Piano quotes below are all either spoken by Professor Ludwig von Neumann or refer to Professor Ludwig von Neumann. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Technology and Progress Theme Icon
).
Chapter 30 Quotes

“Men, by their nature, seemingly, cannot be happy unless engaged in enterprises that make them feel useful. They must, therefore, be returned to participation in such enterprises.

“I hold, and the members of the Ghost Shirt Society hold:

“That there must be virtue in imperfection, for Man is imperfect, and Man is a creation of God.

“That there must be virtue in frailty, for Man is frail, and Man is a creation of God.

“That there must be virtue in inefficiency, for Man is inefficient, and Man is a creation of God.

“That there must be virtue in brilliance followed by stupidity, for Man is alternately brilliant and stupid, and Man is a creation of God. […]”

Related Characters: Professor Ludwig von Neumann (speaker), Doctor Paul Proteus
Page Number: 302
Explanation and Analysis:
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Professor Ludwig von Neumann Quotes in Player Piano

The Player Piano quotes below are all either spoken by Professor Ludwig von Neumann or refer to Professor Ludwig von Neumann. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Technology and Progress Theme Icon
).
Chapter 30 Quotes

“Men, by their nature, seemingly, cannot be happy unless engaged in enterprises that make them feel useful. They must, therefore, be returned to participation in such enterprises.

“I hold, and the members of the Ghost Shirt Society hold:

“That there must be virtue in imperfection, for Man is imperfect, and Man is a creation of God.

“That there must be virtue in frailty, for Man is frail, and Man is a creation of God.

“That there must be virtue in inefficiency, for Man is inefficient, and Man is a creation of God.

“That there must be virtue in brilliance followed by stupidity, for Man is alternately brilliant and stupid, and Man is a creation of God. […]”

Related Characters: Professor Ludwig von Neumann (speaker), Doctor Paul Proteus
Page Number: 302
Explanation and Analysis: