Andrew Wiles

You're walking along a path and then suddenly you see a wall, and you don't know what's behind it. And you try and climb over it, and you can't. And you try and go around it, and you can't. And you try and go under it, and you can't. And then you just have to wait for a long time, and then suddenly, a door opens.

I think I'll stop here.

There is no other problem that has been so much in my mind, and I have been so obsessed with, as Fermat's Last Theorem. From the moment I saw it, I was captivated.

The problem with Fermat's Last Theorem is that it's so simple to state, and yet it's so incredibly difficult to prove.

Mathematics is not a spectator sport.

The moment you have a proof, it's a very special feeling. It's a feeling of great relief and great joy.

I knew that if I could solve this problem, it would be the culmination of my life's work.

The beauty of mathematics is that it's a universal language.

One of the things about mathematics is that it's a very solitary pursuit.

You have to be prepared to spend a lot of time on your own, just thinking.

The proof of Fermat's Last Theorem is a testament to the power of human ingenuity.

I was very lucky to have been born at a time when the tools were available to solve this problem.

The feeling of having solved a problem that has eluded mathematicians for centuries is indescribable.

Mathematics is about finding patterns and relationships.

The joy of discovery is what drives mathematicians.

You have to be persistent, and you have to be patient.

The history of mathematics is full of problems that have been solved after many years of effort.

Fermat's Last Theorem is a beautiful example of how a simple statement can lead to profound mathematics.

I think it's important for young people to be exposed to mathematics at an early age.

Mathematics is not just about numbers; it's about ideas.