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A man who could give a convincing account of mathematical reality would have solved very many of the most difficult problems of metaphysics. If he could include physical reality in his account, he would have solved them all.

— G. H. Hardy A Mathematician's Apology (1941)

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More quotes by G. H. Hardy

A mathematician, like a painter or a poet, is a maker of patterns. If his patterns are more permanent than theirs, it is because they are made with ideas.

A Mathematician's Apology (1941)

If I knew I was going to die today, I think I should still want to hear the cricket scores.

A mathematician, like a painter or poet, is a maker of patterns. If his patterns are more permanent than theirs, it is because they are made with ideas.

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A Mathematician's Apology (1941)

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