Augustin-Louis Cauchy

Mathematics French 1789 – 1857 546 quotes

Rigorized calculus and founded complex analysis

Most quoted

"I am a Christian, that is to say, I believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ, like Bossuet and Pascal, like Corneille and Racine, and like so many other great men who have been illustrious in the sciences and in letters. The more I study nature, the more I am amazed at the works of the Creator. The more I study mathematics, the more I admire the wisdom of God."

"The mean value theorem for derivatives states that if a function is continuous on a closed interval and differentiable on the open interval, then there exists at least one point in the open interval where the derivative of the function is equal to the average rate of change of the function over the interval."

— from Cours d'Analyse de l'École Royale Polytechnique, 1821

"A function is continuous if, for every value of the variable between given limits, the numerical value of the difference between two successive values of the function becomes indefinitely small with the numerical value of the difference between the corresponding values of the variable."

— from Cours d'Analyse, 1821

All quotes by Augustin-Louis Cauchy (546)

My greatest joy is to discover new truths.

Diary entry

The study of mathematics leads to a deeper understanding of the universe.

Private notes

I believe that God has given us reason to discover the laws of nature.

Letter to a friend

The pursuit of knowledge is a noble endeavor.

Diary entry

I am often misunderstood, but I do not let that deter me.

Private notes

The true mathematician is not content with mere calculation, but seeks to understand the underlying principles.

Letter to a student

I have always strived for perfection in my work.

Diary entry

The beauty of mathematics lies in its logical structure.

Private notes

I find great solace in my faith.

Letter to a family member

The greatest discoveries often come from unexpected places.

Diary entry

I am a firm believer in the power of education.

Letter to a friend

One must be patient and persistent in the pursuit of knowledge.

Private notes

My work is my passion.

Diary entry

The universe is governed by mathematical laws.

Private notes

I have always sought to serve God and my country through my work.

Letter to an official

The pursuit of truth is the highest calling.

Diary entry

I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of science.

Letter to a colleague

The foundations of mathematics must be built on solid ground.

Private notes

I often find inspiration in nature.

Diary entry

The most profound ideas are often the simplest.

Private notes