Grigori Perelman

"I'm not interested in money or fame. I don't want to be on display like an animal in a zoo. I am not a hero of mathematics. I am not even that successful. That is why I don't want to be interviewed."

— from Interview with The New Yorker (though he refused to be interviewed directly, this sentiment was reported)

"I'm not interested in money or fame. I don't want to be a zoo animal. I am not a hero of mathematics. I am not even that successful. That is why I don't want to speak publicly."

— from Interview with The New Yorker

"I believe that the main reason for my refusal is that I am not satisfied with the organized mathematical community. I do not like their decisions, I consider them unfair."

— from Interview with Interfax, 2010