I didn't work especially hard at mathematics at school, because I knew that's what I'd be doing later. — David Hilbert Copy Share Image
Before beginning [to try to prove Fermat's Last Theorem] I should have to put in three years of intensive study, and I haven't that much time to squander on a probable failure. — David Hilbert Copy Share Image
[On Cantor's work:] The finest product of mathematical genius and one of the supreme achievements of purely intellectual human activity. — David Hilbert Copy Share Image
Who of us would not be glad to lift the veil behind which the future lies hidden; to cast a glance at the next… — David Hilbert Copy Share Image
How thoroughly it is ingrained in mathematical science that every real advance goes hand in hand with the invention of sharper tools and simpler… — David Hilbert Copy Share Image
Galileo was no idiot. Only an idiot could believe that science requires martyrdom - that may be necessary in religion, but in time a… — David Hilbert Copy Share Image
If I were to awaken after having slept for a thousand years, my first question would be: Has the Riemann hypothesis been proven? — David Hilbert Copy Share Image
Geometry, like arithmetic, requires for its logical development only a small number of simple, fundamental principles. These fundamental principles are called the axioms of… — David Hilbert Copy Share Image
A mathematical theory is not to be considered complete until you have made it so clear that you can explain it to the first… — David Hilbert Copy Share Image
Besides it is an error to believe that rigour is the enemy of simplicity. On the contrary we find it confirmed by numerous examples… — David Hilbert Copy Share Image
Is mathematics doomed to suffer the same fate as other sciences that have split into separate branches?... Mathematics is, in my opinion, an indivisible… — David Hilbert Copy Share Image
One must be able to say at all times--instead of points, straight lines, and planes--tables, chairs, and beer mugs — David Hilbert Copy Share Image
I have tried to avoid long numerical computations, thereby following Riemann's postulate that proofs should be given through ideas and not voluminous computations. — David Hilbert Copy Share Image
![“Before beginning [to try to prove Fermat's Last Theorem] I should have to put in three years of intensive study, and I haven't that much time to squander on a probable failure.” quote by David Hilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b4f/david-hilbert-12585_education_before-beginning-to-try-to-prove-fermat_2395986.jpg)
![“[On Cantor's work:] The finest product of mathematical genius and one of the supreme achievements of purely intellectual human activity.” quote by David Hilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1dd/david-hilbert-12585_achievement_on-cantor-s-work-the-finest-product-of-m_34708.jpg)
