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

One can measure the importance of a scientific work by the number of earlier publications rendered superfluous by it

How thoroughly it is ingrained in mathematical science that every real advance goes hand in hand with the invention of sharper tools and simpler methods which, at the same time, assist in understanding earlier theories and in casting aside some more complicated developments.

The further a mathematical theory is developed, the more harmoniously and uniformly does its construction proceed, and unsuspected relations are disclosed between hitherto separated branches of the science.

He who seeks for methods without having a definite problem in mind seeks in the most part in vain.

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

We do not master a scientific theory until we have shelled and completely prised free its mathematical kernel.