David Hilbert

know must will

“We must know. We will know.”

― David Hilbert (1862-1943)

infinite question move spirit man

“The infinite! No other question has ever moved so profoundly the spirit of man.”

― David Hilbert (1862-1943)

wissen mussen werden

“Wir mussen wissen. Wir werden wissen. (We must know. We will know.)

[Inscribed on his tomb in Gottingen.]”

― David Hilbert (1862-1943)

method definite problem

“… he who seeks for methods without having a definite problem in mind seeks for the most part in vain.”

― David Hilbert (1862-1943)

question important axiom contradictory

“But above all I wish to designate the following as the most important among the numerous questions which can be asked with regard to the axioms: To prove that they are not contradictory, that is, that a definite number of logical steps based upon them can never lead to contradictory results.”

― David Hilbert (1862-1943)

mathematics race geography boundary cultural world country

"Mathematics knows no races or geographic boundaries; for mathematics, the cultural world is one country."

—David Hilbert (1862-1943)

man circle horizon zero point

"Sometimes it happens that a man's circle of horizon becomes smaller and smaller, and as the radius approaches zero it concentrates on one point. And then that becomes his point of view."

—David Hilbert (1862-1943)

mathematics game simple rules meaningless marks paper

"Mathematics is a game played according to certain simple rules with meaningless marks on paper."

—David Hilbert (1862-1943)

mental horizon radius zero point view

"Some people have got a mental horizon of radius zero and call it their point of view."

—David Hilbert (1862-1943)

mathematical theory complete clear explain man street

"A mathematical theory is not to be considered complete until you have made it so clear that you can explain it to the first man whom you meet on the street."

—David Hilbert (1862-1943)

simplest example

"Begin with the simplest examples."

—David Hilbert (1862-1943)

physics difficult physicists

"Physics is becoming too difficult for the physicists."

—David Hilbert (1862-1943)

scientist engineer hostility untrue

"One hears a lot of talk about the hostility between scientists and engineers. I don't believe in any such thing. In fact I am quite certain it is untrue... There cannot possibly be anything in it because neither side has anything to do with the other."

—David Hilbert (1862-1943)

arithmetics geometry formula symbol

"The arithmetical symbols are written diagrams and the geometrical figures are graphic formulas."

—David Hilbert (1862-1943)