The first lecture of each new year renews for most people a light stage fright.

A heavy warning used to be given that pictures are not rigorous; this has never had its bluff called and has permanently frightened its victims into playing for safety.

I recall once saying that when I had given the same lecture several times I couldn't help feeling that they really ought to know it by now.

The referee said it was not acceptable, but the Press considered they could not refuse to publish a book by a professor of the university.

The first test of potential in mathematics is whether you can get anything out of geometry.

It is possible for a mathematician to be "too strong" for a given occasion. He forces through, where another might be driven to a different, and possible more fruitful, approach. (So a rock climber might force a dreadful crack, instead of finding a subtle and delicate route.)

The infinitely competent can be uncreative.