If the proof starts from axioms, distinguishes several cases, and takes thirteen lines in the text book ... it may give the youngsters the impression that mathematics consists in proving the most obvious things in the least obvious way.

There exist a lot of questions that the fools can ask, and the intelligent cannot answer.

There are many questions which fools can ask that wise men cannot answer.

Quite often, when an idea that could be helpful presents itself, we do not appreciate it, for it is so inconspicuous. The expert has, perhaps, no more ideas than the inexperienced, but appreciates more what he has and uses it better.

A GREAT discovery solves a great problem but there is a grain of discovery in any problem.

Mathematics consists in proving the most obvious thing in the least obvious way.

John von Neumann was the only student I was ever afraid of.