“In the field of Egyptian mathematics Professor Karpinski of the University of Michigan has long insisted that surviving mathematical papyri clearly demonstrate the Egyptians' scientific interest in pure mathematics for its own sake. I have now no doubt that Professor Karpinski is right, for the evidence of interest in pure science, as such, is perfectly conclusive in the Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus.”

“A new field of science was emerging: mathematical cognition, or the scientific inquiry into how the human brain gives rise to mathematics... the transition from mathematics to neuropsychology.”

“Love was even more mathematical than poetry. It was the pure mathematics of the spirit.”

“Pure mathematics is in its way the poetry of logical ideas.”

“Most people have some appreciation of mathematics, just as most people can enjoy a pleasant tune; and there are probably more people really interested in mathematics than in music. Appearances suggest the contrary, but there are easy explanations. Music can be used to stimulate mass emotion, while mathematics cannot; and musical incapacity is recognized (no doubt rightly) as mildly discreditable, whereas most people are so frightened of the name of mathematics that they are ready, quite unaffectedly, to exaggerate their own mathematical stupidity”

“Mathematics reveals its secrets only to those who approach it with pure love, for its own beauty.”