Albert Einstein is arguably the most famous physicist of all time. His theory of relativity forever changed the way we perceive the world and opened the door for a whole new theory in physics. Ironically, this humble man who had no desire for notoriety wound up becoming one of the most well known individuals of his time.<\/p>\n
Einstein wasn\u2019t just a brilliant physicist, however. He was also a remarkably wise man with incredible insights on society. Along with his groundbreaking discoveries in physics, his innovative views on a wide variety of topics ensure that he will be remembered for centuries to come.<\/p>\n
In this article I would like to share some of Einstein\u2019s most inspiring and incisive quotes with you. It is my hope that these quotes will provide you with a better understanding of the kind of human being he was.<\/p>\n
{{1. On life
\n}}<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are like bicycles. They can keep their balance only as long as they keep moving.\u201d \u2014Letter to Eduard Einstein, February 5, 1930<\/p>\n
{{2. On imagination}}<\/p>\n
\u201cImagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.\u201d \u2014Cosmic Religion and Other Opinions and Aphorisms, 1931<\/p>\n
{{3. On thinking}}<\/p>\n
\u201cAny man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking.\u201d \u2014The Ultimate Quotable Einstein (2010 edition), Princeton University Press<\/p>\n
{{4. On value}}<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there is no price to be paid, it is also not of value.\u201d \u2014Aphorism, June 27, 1927<\/p>\n
{{5. On peace
\n}}<\/p>\n
\u201cPeace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.\u201d \u2014Speech to the New History Society, 14 December 1930<\/p>\n
{{6. On happiness}}<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or objects.\u201d \u2014Quotes by Ernst Strauss in French, Einstein: A Centenary Volume, 32.<\/p>\n
{{7. On human destiny}}<\/p>\n
\u201cThe high destiny of the individual is to serve rather than to rule.\u201d \u2014Science and Religion, 1939<\/p>\n
{{8. On work ethic}}<\/p>\n
\u201cThe state of mind which enables a man to do work of this kind \u2026 is akin to that of the religious worshipper or the lover; the daily effort comes from no deliberate intention or program, but straight from the heart.\u201d \u2014From a Speech \u201cPrinciples of Research\u201d, 1918<\/p>\n
{{9. On politics}}<\/p>\n
\u201cI am by heritage a Jew, by citizenship a Swiss, and by makeup a human being, and only a human being, without any special attachment to any state or national entity whatsoever.\u201d \u2014The Yale Book of Quotations<\/p>\n
{{10. On ambition}}<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing truly valuable arises from ambition or from a mere sense of duty; it stems rather from love and devotion towards men and towards objective things.\u201d \u2014 To F.S. Wada, July 30, 1947<\/p>\n
{{11. On knowledge}}<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only source of knowledge is experience\u201d \u2014The Ultimate Quotable Einstein (2010 edition), Princeton University Press<\/p>\n
{{12. On stupidity}}<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I\u2019m not sure about the universe.\u201d \u2014 The World As I See it<\/p>\n
{{13. On common sense}}<\/p>\n
\u201cCommon sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in the mind before you reach eighteen.\u201d \u2014The Universe and Dr. Einstein<\/p>\n
{{14. On social conditioning}}<\/p>\n
\u201cFew people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.\u201d \u2014 Ideas and Opinions<\/p>\n
{{15. On standing against the crowd}}<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly.\u201d \u2014 Letter to Morris Raphael Cohen (19 March 1940)<\/p>\n
{{16. On the intellect}}<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should take care not to make the intellect our god; it has, of course, powerful muscles, but no personality.\u201d \u2014 Out of My Later Years
\n{{
\n17. On wealth}}<\/p>\n
\u201cI am absolutely convinced that no wealth in the world can help humanity forward, even in the hands of the most devoted worker in this cause. The example of great and pure individuals is the only thing that can lead us to noble thoughts and deeds. Money only appeals to selfishness and irresistibly invites abuse. Can anyone imagine Moses, Jesus, or Gandhi armed with \u2026money-bags?\u201d \u2014 Ideas and Opinions
\n{{
\n18. On talent}}<\/p>\n
\u201cI have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.\u201d \u2014 Letter to Carl Seeling (11 March 1952)<\/p>\n
{{19. On mastery}}<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason mastery demands all of a person.\u201d \u2014 Letter, July 1947<\/p>\n
{{20. On freedom}}<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.\u201d \u2014Address at the commencement of Swarthmore College, 1938<\/p>\n
{{21. On solitude}}<\/p>\n
\u201cI am truly a \u2018lone traveler\u2019 and have never belonged to my country, my home, my friends, or even my immediate family, with my whole heart; in the face of all these ties, I have never lost a sense of distance and a need for solitude.\u201d \u2014 The World As I See It<\/p>\n
{{22. On humility
\n}}<\/p>\n
\u201cThe true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which he has attained to liberation from the self.\u201d \u2014The World As I See It<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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