5 Quotes & Sayings By Farkas Bolyai

Farkas Bolyai (1775-1856), born in Budapest, was an important Hungarian mathematician and founder of the theory of integrals. He is most famous for the Bélái-Bolyai-Gerlich theorem in which he proved that any continuous curve in three-dimensional space can be approximated by a series of straight lines.

1
Please give it up. Fear it no less than the sensual passion, because it, too, may take up all your time and deprive you of your health, peace of mind and happiness in life.[ Having himself spent a lifetime unsuccessfully trying to prove Euclid's postulate that parallel lines do not meet, Farkas discouraged his son János from any further attempt.] Farkas Bolyai
When the time is ripe for certain things, these things...
2
When the time is ripe for certain things, these things appear in different places in the manner of violets coming to light in early spring. Farkas Bolyai
3
Do not try the parallels in that way: I know that way all along. I have measured that bottomless night, and all the light and all the joy of my life went out there.[ Having himself spent a lifetime unsuccessfully trying to prove Euclid's postulate that parallel lines do not meet, Farkas discouraged his son János from any further attempt.] Farkas Bolyai
4
The mathematical giant [Gauss], who from his lofty heights embraces in one view the stars and the abysses … Farkas Bolyai