One must be able to say at all times--instead of points, straight lines, and planes--tables, chairs, and beer mugs

Mathematics knows no races or geographic boundaries; for mathematics, the cultural world is one country.

Sometimes it happens that a man's circle of horizon becomes smaller and smaller, and as the radius approaches zero it concentrates on one point. And then that becomes his point of view.

Mathematics is a game played according to certain simple rules with meaningless marks on paper.

Some people have got a mental horizon of radius zero and call it their point of view.

If I were to awaken after having slept for a thousand years, my first question would be: Has the Riemann hypothesis been proven?

Begin with the simplest examples.

For us there is no ignorabimus, and in my opinion none whatever in natural science. In opposition to the foolish ignorabimus our slogan shall be: "We must know - we will know!"

If one were to bring ten of the wisest men in the world together and ask them what was the most stupid thing in existence, they would not be able to discover anything so stupid as astrology.

The art of doing mathematics consists in finding that special case which contains all the germs of generality.

Physics is becoming too difficult for the physicists.

Feeling offended is invigorating. Feeling offended is a reassuring sensation. It's easier than asking ourselves if the redeeming love of God is evident in the way we communicate with people.

Your surroundings may change but your essence and your personality pretty much stay the same.

Inevitably we start by thinking that if our work is any good, we'll get money. It's as we would if you started up a business or if you work in another profession.

My age now, like my age 20 years ago, marks the year in which I was born. That's all.

I have long admired Caroline Leavitt's probing insight into people, her wit and compassion, her ability to find humor in dark situations, and conversely, her tenderness towards characters.

I've always loved the pomp and circumstance of dressing up; the pagenatry and all of the glamour of Hollywood.

No phenomenon is a real phenomenon until it is an observed phenomenon.

Mathematics: silent harmonies. Music: sounding numbers.

If the law doesn't apply equally to everybody, then you don't really have a system of law.

If you take two steps towards God,' he used to tell me, 'God runs to you!