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 the politics of mathematics. I am only interested in the mathematics itself.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I don't want to be a part of the system. I want to be outside of it.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I am not seeking recognition. I am seeking understanding.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I don't need to prove anything to anyone. I just need to prove it to myself.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I am not interested in the superficial aspects of life. I am interested in the profound.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I don't want to be distracted by external factors. I want to focus on my work.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I am not a conformist. I am an individual.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I don't need the validation of others. I have my own internal compass.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I am not interested in the pursuit of happiness. I am interested in the pursuit of truth.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I don't want to be a part of the rat race. I want to live my life on my own terms.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I am not a materialistic person. I value intellectual pursuits over material possessions.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I don't need external motivation. My motivation comes from within.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I am not interested in power or influence. I am interested in knowledge.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I don't want to be a leader. I want to be a thinker.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I am not interested in the approval of the masses. I am interested in the approval of my own conscience.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I don't need to be understood by everyone. I just need to understand myself.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I am not interested in superficial conversations. I am interested in deep thoughts.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I don't want to be a part of the noise. I want to be a part of the silence.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I am not interested in the opinions of the ignorant. I am interested in the insights of the wise.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

I don't need external validation for my work. The work itself is its own reward.

Interview with The New York Times 2006

Contemporaries of Grigori Perelman

Other Mathematicss born within 50 years of Grigori Perelman (1966).

Alexander Grothendieck

1928–2014 · French

1953 · English

1921–2005 · American

Katherine Johnson

1918–2020 · American

1975 · Australian-American