Prelude to Foundation

“A great many things are possible.” And to himself he added: But not practical.

Was there anything more exciting in life than seeking answers?

“Talk about homespun,” he said. “What about this Outworldish clothing I’m wearing? It never occurred to me that I ought to get Trantorian garb.”
“You could buy some,” said Hummin, eyeing Seldon with suppressed disapproval.
“I’ll be leaving tomorrow and, besides, I couldn’t afford it. Mathematicians deal with large numbers sometimes, but never in their income.

Finally the Emperor said, “You don’t look like a mathematician.”
At last, Seldon found himself able to smile. “I don’t know what a mathematician is supposed to look like, Your Imp—”
Cleon raised a cautioning hand and Seldon choked off the honorific.
Cleon said, “White-haired, I suppose. Bearded, perhaps. Old, certainly.”
“Yet even mathematicians must be young to begin with.”