The problem of distinguishing prime numbers from composite numbers and of resolving the latter into their prime factors is known to be one of the most important and useful in arithmetic. It has engaged the industry and wisdom of ancient and modern geometers to such an extent that it would be superfluous to discuss the problem at length. ... Further, the dignity of the science itself seems to require that every possible means be explored for the solution of a problem so elegant and so celebrated.

You have no idea, how much poetry there is in the calculation of a table of logarithms!

It is always noteworthy that all those who seriously study this science [the theory of numbers] conceive a sort of passion for it.

Mathematical discoveries, like springtime violets in the woods, have their season which no human can hasten or retard.

[On Sophie Germain] When a person of the sex which, according to our customs and prejudices, must encounter infinitely more difficulties than men... succeeds nevertheless in surmounting these obstacles and penetrating the most obscure parts of [number theory], then without doubt she must have the noblest courage, quite extraordinary talents and superior genius.

The total number of Dirichlet's publications is not large: jewels are not weighed on a grocery scale.

The Infinite is only a manner of speaking.