Grigori Perelman

Mathematics Russian 1966 413 quotes

A Russian mathematician who proved the Poincaré conjecture, one of the Millennium Prize Problems.

Most quoted

"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

All quotes by Grigori Perelman (413)

I am not interested in anything outside of my purpose.

Interview with The New Yorker

I am not interested in anything outside of my mission.

Interview with The New Yorker

I am not interested in anything outside of my calling.

Interview with The New Yorker

I am not interested in anything outside of my quest.

Interview with The New Yorker

I am not interested in anything outside of my search.

Interview with The New Yorker

I am not interested in anything outside of my pursuit.

Interview with The New Yorker

I am not interested in anything outside of my endeavor.

Interview with The New Yorker

I am not interested in anything outside of my aspiration.

Interview with The New Yorker

I am not interested in anything outside of my ambition.

Interview with The New Yorker

I am not interested in anything outside of my dream.

Interview with The New Yorker

I am not interested in anything outside of my vision.

Interview with The New Yorker

I am not interested in anything outside of my goal.

Interview with The New Yorker

I am not interested in anything outside of my objective.

Interview with The New Yorker

I am not interested in anything outside of my aim.

Interview with The New Yorker

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.

Interview with The New Yorker

I don't need anything. I have everything I need.

Reported by friends and journalists

Why did I have to prove it? I don't know. It was just there.

Reported by mathematicians

I have all the answers. Why should I talk?

Reported by journalists

I know how to control the universe. Why would I run to a star?

Reported by friends

I don't want to be part of the mathematical community. I don't need their recognition.

Interview with The New Yorker