Full Idea
Sets could hardly serve as a foundation for number theory if we had to await detailed results in the upper reaches of the edifice before we could make our first move.
Gist of Idea
We can't use sets as foundations for mathematics if we must await results from the upper reaches
Source
Palle Yourgrau (Sets, Aggregates and Numbers [1985], 'Two')
Book Reference
'Philosophy of Mathematics: anthology', ed/tr. Jacquette,Dale [Blackwell 2002], p.356