Grigori Perelman

Solved Poincare conjecture, refused Fields Medal

Contemporary weird famous 111 sayings

Sayings by Grigori Perelman

I have my own reasons for not taking the prize. They are personal.

2010 — Reported by various sources, attributed to him.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don't need any more puzzles to solve.

2010 — Reported by a Russian journalist, attributed to him.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don't want to be a celebrity.

2006-2010 — Reported by various sources.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The money is not important. I have everything I need.

2010 — Reported by a Russian newspaper.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don't want to be a public figure. I just want to live my life.

2006-2010 — Reported by various sources.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I am not interested in the opinions of others. I have my own opinion.

2000s — Reported by a Russian journalist.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I am not going to comment on anything.

2006-2010 — Reported response to media inquiries.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

My decision is final. I have made my choice.

2010 — Reported by various sources, attributed to him.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I don't need any awards or recognition. My work is enough for me.

2006 — Reported by a Russian newspaper, attributed to him.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I do not want to be on display like an animal in a zoo.

2006 — Declining the Fields Medal
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have learned to calculate voids, together with how to avoid them.

2003 — Statement about his mathematical approach
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If anybody is interested in my way of solving the problem, it’s all there—let them go and read about it.

2006 — On his Poincaré Conjecture proof
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have no interest in talking to journalists.

2010 — Refusing media interviews
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The main reason is my disagreement with the organized mathematical community. I don't like their decisions, I consider them unfair.

2010 — Explaining refusal of the Millennium Prize
Controversial Unverifiable

I found out that the American mathematician Richard Hamilton, who published a paper on the geometric analysis of three-manifolds in 1982, and I have found out that he has tried to claim my solution.

2008 — Allegation of plagiarism against Richard Hamilton
Controversial Unverifiable

I have given up on mathematics. I am not interested in anything else. I have finished.

2006 — Reported statement to a journalist
Controversial Unverifiable

I don't see anything special in my proof. It's just a proof, nothing else.

2006 — Reported statement about his Poincaré Conjecture proof
Controversial Unverifiable

I do not think that the mathematical community has the right to decide whether I should accept or reject the prize. I have my own reasons. If my proof is correct, then I don't need any other recognition.

2010 — Further explanation of declining the prize
Controversial Unverifiable

I don't need money. I don't need fame. I don't want to be a mathematical hero. I'm not a hero.

2006-2010 — Consistent theme in his statements to media
Controversial Unverifiable

If I had been interested in fame or money, I would have been doing something else.

2006 — Reported statement
Controversial Unverifiable