Quotes from Pierre de Fermat

I have discovered a truly marvellous demonstration [of this general theorem] which this margin is too narrow to contain.

It is impossible for any number which is a power greater than the second to be written as a sum of two like powers. I have a truly marvelous demonstration of this proposition which this margin is too narrow to contain.

Et peut-être la posterité me saura gré de lui avoir fait connaître que les Anciens n'ont pas tout su. ( And perhaps, posterity will thank me for having shown that the ancients did not know everything .)

Cuius rei demostrationem mirabilem sane detexi hanc marginis exiquitas non caperet. Tengo una prueba verdaderamente maravillosa para esta afirmación, pero el margen es demasiado estrecho para contenerla.

And perhaps, posterity will thank me for having shown it that the ancients did not know everything.

I have found a very great number of exceedingly beautiful theorems.

I am more exempt and more distant than any man in the world

But it is impossible to divide a cube into two cubes, or a fourth power into fourth powers, or generally any power beyond the square into like powers; of this I have found a remarkable demonstration. This margin is too narrow to contain it.