"We admit, in geometry, not only infinite..." - Quote by Voltaire
We admit, in geometry, not only infinite magnitudes, that is to say, magnitudes greater than any assignable magnitude, but infinite magnitudes infinitely greater, the one than the other. This astonishes our dimension of brains, which is only about six inches long, five broad, and six in depth, in the largest heads.
More by Voltaire
More on Mathematics
“As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain, and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality.”
“Mathematics deals exclusively with the relations of concepts to each other without consideration of their relation to experience.”
“Relations between pure and applied mathematicians are based on trust and understanding.Namely, pure mathematicians do not trust applied mathematicians, and applied mathematicians do not understand pure mathematicians.”
More on Infinity
“For after all what is man in nature? A nothing in relation to infinity, all in relation to nothing, a central point between nothing and all and infinitely far from understanding either. The ends of things and their beginnings are impregnably concealed from him in an impenetrable secret. He is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness out of which he was drawn and the infinite in which he is engulfed.”
“The fact that our task is exactly commensurate with our life gives it the appearance of being infinite.”
“An infinity of forest lies dormant within the dreams on one acorn.”