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)

Death is inevitable. The pursuit of truth is eternal.

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Meaning is found in the pursuit of knowledge.

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The universe is governed by mathematical laws. Understanding them is understanding everything.

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I am a simple man with a complex mind.

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My work is my life. My life is my work.

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I don't need society. I have my thoughts.

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The greatest reward is the satisfaction of solving a difficult problem.

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I am not a genius. I am just persistent.

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Mathematics is the language of the universe.

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The pursuit of truth is a solitary journey.

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I find peace in the order of mathematics.

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The world is full of distractions. Mathematics is my focus.

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I am not interested in the superficial. I seek the profound.

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The true beauty of mathematics is internal.

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My life is dedicated to the pursuit of mathematical truth.

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I don't need external validation for my existence.

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The universe is an open book, and mathematics is the key to reading it.

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I am a vessel for mathematical discovery.

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The greatest freedom is the freedom of thought.

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I don't want to be a show dog. I don't want to be on display. I'm not a hero. I'm not a genius. I'm just a normal person.

Interview with The New Yorker 2006