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Many distinguished mathematicians, at some point of their career, collected their thoughts on mathematics (its aesthetic, purposes, methods, etc.) and on the work of a mathematician in written form.

For instance:

1. W. Thurston wrote the lovely essay On proof and progress in mathematics in response to an article by Jaffe and Quinn; some points made there are also presented in an answer given on MathOverflow (What's a mathematician to do?).
2. More recently, T. Tao shared some personal thoughts and opinions on what makes "good quality mathematics" in What is good mathematics?.
3. G. Hardy wrote the famous little book A Mathematician's Apology, which influenced, at least to some extent, several generations of mathematicians.

Personally, I've been greatly inspired by the two writings listed under (1.) -- they are one of the main reasons why I started studying mathematics -- and, considering that one of them appeared on MathOverflow, I'd like to propose here -- if it is appropriate -- to create a "big-list" of the kind of works described in the above blockquote.

I'd suggest (again, if it is appropriate) to give one title (or link) per answer with a short summary.

• A related question, which I've found very interesting, is Good papers/books/essays about the thought process behind mathematical research.
• Only slightly related (but surely interesting): Which mathematicians have influenced you the most?
• A single paper everyone should read? is not quite related, but still somewhat relevant (especially the most up-voted answer).

Many distinguished mathematicians, at some point of their career, collected their thoughts on mathematics (its aesthetic, purposes, methods, etc.) and on the work of a mathematician in written form.

For instance:

1. W. Thurston wrote the lovely essay On proof and progress in mathematics in response to an article by Jaffe and Quinn; some points made there are also presented in an answer given on MathOverflow (What's a mathematician to do?).
2. More recently, T. Tao shared some personal thoughts and opinions on what makes "good quality mathematics" in What is good mathematics?.
3. G. Hardy wrote the famous little book A Mathematician's Apology, which influenced, at least to some extent, several generations of mathematicians.

Personally, I've been greatly inspired by the two writings listed under (1.) -- they are one of the main reasons why I started studying mathematics -- and, considering that one of them appeared on MathOverflow, I'd like to propose here -- if it is appropriate -- to create a "big-list" of the kind of works described in the above blockquote.

I'd suggest (again, if it is appropriate) to give one title (or link) per answer with a short summary.

• A related question, which I've found very interesting, is Good papers/books/essays about the thought process behind mathematical research.
• Only slightly related (but surely interesting): Which mathematicians have influenced you the most?
• A single paper everyone should read? is not quite related, but still somewhat relevant (especially the most up-voted answer).

Many distinguished mathematicians, at some point of their career, collected their thoughts on mathematics (its aesthetic, purposes, methods, etc.) and on the work of a mathematician in written form.

For instance:

1. W. Thurston wrote the lovely essay On proof and progress in mathematics in response to an article by Jaffe and Quinn; some points made there are also presented in an answer given on MathOverflow (What's a mathematician to do?).
2. More recently, T. Tao shared some personal thoughts and opinions on what makes "good quality mathematics" in What is good mathematics?.
3. G. Hardy wrote the famous little book A Mathematician's Apology, which influenced, at least to some extent, several generations of mathematicians.

Personally, I've been greatly inspired by the two writings listed under (1.) -- basically, they are one of the main reasons why I started studying mathematics -- and, considering that one of them appeared on MathOverflow, I'd like to propose here -- if it is appropriate -- to create a "big-list" of the kind of works described in the above blockquote.

I'd suggest (again, if it is appropriate) to give one title (or link) per answer with a short summary.

• A related question, which I've found very interesting, is Good papers/books/essays about the thought process behind mathematical research.
• Only slightly related (but surely interesting): Which mathematicians have influenced you the most?
• A single paper everyone should read? is not quite related, but still somewhat relevant (especially the most up-voted answer).

Many distinguished mathematicians, at some point of their career, collected their thoughts on mathematics (its aesthetic, purposes, methods, etc.) and on the work of a mathematician in written form.

For instance:

1. W. Thurston wrote the lovely essay On proof and progress in mathematics in response to an article by Jaffe and Quinn; some points made there are also presented in an answer given on MathOverflow (What's a mathematician to do?).
2. More recently, T. Tao shared some personal thoughts and opinions on what makes "good quality mathematics" in What is good mathematics?.
3. G. Hardy wrote the famous little book A Mathematician's Apology, which influenced, at least to some extent, several generations of mathematicians.

Personally, I've been greatly inspired by the two writings listed under (1.) -- they are one of the main reasons why I started studying mathematics -- and, considering that one of them appeared on MathOverflow, I'd like to propose here -- if it is appropriate -- to create a "big-list" of the kind of works described in the above blockquote.

I'd suggest (again, if it is appropriate) to give one title (or link) per answer with a short summary.

• A related question, which I've found very interesting, is Good papers/books/essays about the thought process behind mathematical research.
• Only slightly related (but surely interesting): Which mathematicians have influenced you the most?
• A single paper everyone should read? is not quite related, but still somewhat relevant (especially the most up-voted answer).

Many distinguished mathematicians, at some point of their career, collected their thoughts on mathematics (its aesthetic, purposes, methods, etc.) and the work of a mathematician in written form.

For instance:

1. W. Thurston wrote the lovely essay On proof and progress in mathematics in response to an article by Jaffe and Quinn; some points made there are also presented in an answer given on MathOverflow (What's a mathematician to do?).
2. More recently, T. Tao shared some personal thoughts and opinions on what makes "good quality mathematics" in What is good mathematics?.
3. G. Hardy wrote the famous little book A Mathematician's Apology, which influenced, at least to some extent, several generations of mathematicians.

Personally, I've been greatly inspired by the two writings listed under (1.) -- basically, they are one of the main reasons why I started studying mathematics -- and, considering that one of them appeared on MathOverflow, I'd like to propose here -- if it is appropriate -- to create a "big-list" of the kind of works described in the above blockquote.

I'd suggest (again, if it is appropriate) to give one title (or link) per answer with a short summary.

• A related question, which I've found very interesting, is Good papers/books/essays about the thought process behind mathematical research.
• Only slightly related (but surely interesting): Which mathematicians have influenced you the most?
• A single paper everyone should read? is not quite related, but still somewhat relevant (especially the most up-voted answer).

Many distinguished mathematicians, at some point of their career, collected their thoughts on mathematics (its aesthetic, purposes, methods, etc.) and on the work of a mathematician in written form.

For instance:

1. W. Thurston wrote the lovely essay On proof and progress in mathematics in response to an article by Jaffe and Quinn; some points made there are also presented in an answer given on MathOverflow (What's a mathematician to do?).
2. More recently, T. Tao shared some personal thoughts and opinions on what makes "good quality mathematics" in What is good mathematics?.
3. G. Hardy wrote the famous little book A Mathematician's Apology, which influenced, at least to some extent, several generations of mathematicians.

Personally, I've been greatly inspired by the two writings listed under (1.) -- basically, they are one of the main reasons why I started studying mathematics -- and, considering that one of them appeared on MathOverflow, I'd like to propose here -- if it is appropriate -- to create a "big-list" of the kind of works described in the above blockquote.

I'd suggest (again, if it is appropriate) to give one title (or link) per answer with a short summary.

• A related question, which I've found very interesting, is Good papers/books/essays about the thought process behind mathematical research.
• Only slightly related (but surely interesting): Which mathematicians have influenced you the most?
• A single paper everyone should read? is not quite related, but still somewhat relevant (especially the most up-voted answer).