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There is no doubt that we cannot do without variable quantities in the sense of the potential infinite. But from this very fact the necessity of the actual infinite can be demonstrated.

Georg Cantor

There is no doubt that we cannot do without variable quantities in the sense of the potential infinite. But from this very fact the necessity of the actual infinite can be demonstrated.
GEORG CANTOR

Demonstration Doubt Fact Necessary Potential Variable
I realize that in this undertaking I place myself in a certain opposition to views widely held concerning the mathematical infinite and to opinions frequently defended on the nature of numbers.
GEORG CANTOR

Nature Number Opinion Place View
This view of the infinite, which I consider to be the sole correct one, is held by only a few. While possibly I am the very first in history to take this position so explicitly, with all of its logical consequences, I know for sure that I shall not be the last!
GEORG CANTOR

Consequence Forever History Logical Possible View
Had Mittag-Leffler had his way, I should have to wait until the year 1984, which to me seemed too great a demand!
GEORG CANTOR

Demand Greatness Myself Patience Time
A set is a Many that allows itself to be thought of as a One.
GEORG CANTOR

Allow Oneself Thinking
My beautiful proof lies all in ruins.
GEORG CANTOR

Beautiful Evidence Lying Myself Ruin
Don’t always blindly follow guidance and step-by-step instructions; you might run into something interesting.
GEORG CANTOR

Guidance Instruction Interest Run Yourself
Great innovation only happens when people aren’t afraid to do things differently.
GEORG CANTOR

Afraid Different Greatness People
Every transfinite consistent multiplicity, that is, every transfinite set, must have a definite aleph as its cardinal number.
GEORG CANTOR

Consistency Number Science
Mathematics, in the development of its ideas, has only to take account of the immanent reality of its concepts and has absolutely no obligation to examine their transient reality.
GEORG CANTOR

Development Examination Ideas Mathematics Obligation Reality
I entertain no doubts as to the truths of the tranfinites, which I recognized with God’s help and which, in their diversity, I have studied for more than twenty years; every year, and almost every day brings me further in this science.
GEORG CANTOR

Diversity Doubt Myself Recognition Science Truth
In mathematics, the art of asking questions is more valuable than solving problems.
GEORG CANTOR

Mathematics Problem Question Value
A false conclusion once arrived at and widely accepted is not easily dislodged and the less it is understood the more tenaciously it is held.
GEORG CANTOR

Acceptance Easy Fake Undesrtand Wide
The essence of mathematics lies precisely in its freedom.
GEORG CANTOR

Freedom Lying Mathematics
The potential infinite means nothing other than an undetermined, variable quantity, always remaining finite, which has to assume values that either become smaller than any finite limit no matter how small, or greater than any finite limit no matter how great.
GEORG CANTOR

Assumption Determination Limitation Potential Quantity
In mathematics the art of proposing a question must be held of higher value than solving it.
GEORG CANTOR

Art Mathematics Proposal Question Solve Value

There is no doubt that we cannot do without variable quantities in the sense of the potential infinite. But from this very fact the necessity of the actual infinite can be demonstrated.

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There is no doubt that we cannot do without variable quantities in the sense of the potential infinite. But from this very fact the necessity of the actual infinite can be demonstrated.

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