I Confess That Fermat's Theorem As An

Sin2 φ Is Odious To Me, Even Though Laplace Made Use Of It; Should It Be Feared That Sin2 φ Might Become Ambiguous, Which Would Perhaps Never Occur, Or At Most Very Rarely When Speaking Of Sin(φ2), Well Then, Let Us Write (sin φ)2, But Not Sin2 φ, Which By Analogy Should Signify Sin (sin φ)

I Am Giving This Winter Two Courses Of Lectures To Three Students, Of Which One Is Only Moderately Prepared, The Other Less Than Moderately, And The Third Lacks Both Preparation And Ability. Such Are The Onera Of A Mathematical Profession.

You Know That I Write Slowly. This Is Chiefly Because I Am Never Satisfied Until I Have Said As Much As Possible In A Few Words, And Writing Briefly Takes Far More Time Than Writing At Length.

It May Be True, That Men, Who Are Mere Mathematicians, Have Certain Specific Shortcomings, But That Is Not The Fault Of Mathematics, For It Is Equally True Of Every Other Exclusive Occupation.

In My Opinion Instruction Is Very Purposeless For Such Individuals Who Do No Want Merely To Collect A Mass Of Knowledge, But Are Mainly Interested In Exercising (training) Their Own Powers. One Doesn't Need To Grasp Such A One By The Hand And Lead Him To The Goal, But Only From Time To Time Give Him Suggestions, In Order That He May Reach It Himself In The Shortest Way.