What is man? ... What a strange union of matter and mind! A machine for converting material into spiritual force.

- Benjamin Peirce

Of possible quadruple algebras the one that had seemed to him by far the most beautiful and remarkable was practically identical with quaternions, an…

- Benjamin Peirce

There are many cases of these algebras which may obviously be combined into natural classes, but the consideration of this portion of the subject wil…

- Benjamin Peirce

The object of geometry in all its measuring and computing, is to ascertain with exactness the plan of the great Geometer, to penetrate the veil of ma…

- Benjamin Peirce

I presume that to the uninitiated the formulae will appear cold and cheerless; but let it be remembered that, like other mathematical formulae, they …

- Benjamin Peirce

Gentlemen, that is surely true, it is absolutely paradoxical; we cannot understand it, and we don't know what it means. But we have proved it, and th…

- Benjamin Peirce

The branches of mathematics are as various as the sciences to which they belong, and each subject of physical enquiry has its appropriate mathematics…

- Benjamin Peirce

Mathematics is the science which draws necessary conclusions.

- Benjamin Peirce

Gentlemen, as we study the universe we see everywhere the most tremendous manifestations of force. In our own experience we know of but one source of…

- Benjamin Peirce