I don't see how it's doing society any good to have so many members walking around with vague memories of algebraic formulas and geometric diagrams and clear memories of hating them.

Why don't we want our children to learn to do mathematics? Is it that we don't trust them, that we think it's too hard? We seem to feel that they are capable of making arguments and coming to their own conclusions about Napoleon. Why not about triangles?

The thing I want you especially to understand is this feeling of divine revelation. I feel that this structure was "out there" all along I just couldn't see it. And now I can! This is really what keeps me in the math game- the chance that I might glimpse some kind of secret underlying truth, some sort of message from the gods.

Mental acuity of any kind comes from solving problems yourself, not from being told how to solve them.

Mathematics is the purest of the arts, as well as the most misunderstood.

The only thing I am interested in using mathematics for is to have a good time and to help others do the same.

Mathematicians enjoy thinking about the simplest possible things, and the simplest possible things are imaginary.