David Hilbert Quote

The reason that I am now almost completely swimming in physical waters is because here at the moment as a pure mathematician I am the only feeling heart among the wraiths. So for now... in order to have points in common with other mortals, I have surrendered myself to magic — that is to say, physics.

In: Constance Reid, Hilbert — Courant, Hilbert, Chapter V (p. 35)