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)
Why would I want to be famous? It's a distraction.
I don't follow trends. I follow truth.
The world is too noisy for deep thought.
I'm not running away from anything. I'm running towards something.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
I don't need external validation. My work is enough.
The universe doesn't care about prizes.
I prefer the company of numbers to the company of people.
My greatest achievement is my inner peace.
I don't need a stage. My mind is my stage.
The truth is always elegant.
I'm not a hermit. I'm just focused.
If you understand it, you don't need to talk about it.
The world is too busy chasing shadows.
I don't need applause. I need silence to think.
Mathematics is a conversation with the universe.
I'm not avoiding people. I'm avoiding distractions.
The greatest discoveries are made in solitude.
I don't want to be a mathematical exhibit. I am not a hero. I am not even that good. That is why I don't want to be on display.
I don't want to be famous. I don't want to be an animal in a zoo.
Contemporaries of Grigori Perelman
Other Mathematicss born within 50 years of Grigori Perelman (1966).