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 learned how to control the universe. Why would I run to a small, insignificant prize?
I don't want to be exposed. I don't want to be looked at. I don't want to be talked about.
I am not interested in money or fame. I don't want to be a celebrity. I don't want to be an animal in a zoo.
I have my own opinion about the quality of the work of the mathematical community. I don't think it's good enough.
I don't need anybody's approval.
I don't want to make any statements. I don't want to be interviewed.
I don't want to be a symbol of anything.
I don't want to be a public figure.
I don't want to be part of the system.
I don't want to be involved in any of this.
I don't want to be a part of the mathematical circus.
I don't want to be a part of the rat race.
I don't want to be a part of the academic world.
I don't want to be a part of the scientific establishment.
I don't want to be a part of the intellectual elite.
I don't want to be a part of the media frenzy.
I don't want to be a part of the public eye.
I don't want to be a part of the fame game.
I don't want to be a part of the prize culture.
I don't want to be a part of the competition.
Contemporaries of Grigori Perelman
Other Mathematicss born within 50 years of Grigori Perelman (1966).