Lessons from Ludwig?

I was reading ‘Beethoven: The Music and the Life’ the other day and came across something I thought I’d share…

In response to receiving an embroidered pocket book from an 8 year old girl, Beethoven wrote a letter back. Amongst other things, he writes:

‘For only art and science can raise men to the level of gods.’

Although it’s not clear, could Beethoven be suggesting that it’s the combination of both art and science (rather than one or the other) that has the potential to create great things? I like to think so.