Grigori Perelman
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 don't care about the prize. I have everything I need.
I don't need to explain myself to anyone.
I'm not a public figure. I'm just a mathematician.
I have no interest in money. I have no interest in fame. I have no interest in being a hero.
I don't need to prove anything to anyone. I just do my work.
The universe is simple. People complicate it.
I'm not a genius. I just think differently.
I don't need a prize to know my work is good.
I have everything I need right here.
Mathematics is about truth, not awards.
I don't care about what others think. I only care about the truth.
I'm not a recluse. I just prefer my own company.
The world is full of noise. I prefer silence.
I don't need to be understood. I just need to be left alone.
My work speaks for itself.
I don't seek attention. Attention seeks me.
The greatest reward is the understanding itself.
I'm not a guru. I'm just a person who thinks.
I don't need to be celebrated. I just need to be free.
Truth is its own reward.
Contemporaries of Grigori Perelman
Other Mathematicss born within 50 years of Grigori Perelman (1966).