... physics, one could say, is in sort of a crisis, in some sense, because of a current gap between the sophisticated theories, which come from apply… - Edward Frenkel

I was proud of my work with Yakov Isaevich, and he of me. Despite our good relationship, however, I kept my “other” mathematical life – my work with Fuchs and Feigin and all of that – secret from him as I did from most other people. It was as though applied mathematics was my spouse, and pure mathematics was my secret lover.

... looking back, ... I have not hurt people personally, but ... I could be mean, for instance, I could be harsh. And now I see it as sign of weakness, as a sign of insecurity.

People tend to think that mathematicians always work in sterile conditions, sitting around and staring at the screen of a computer, or at a ceiling, in a pristine office. But in fact, some of the best ideas come when you least expect them, possibly through annoying industrial noise.