As one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century, Albert Einstein radically altered our ideas about the world we live in and how it works. Without Einstein’s unique way of looking at things, our scientific progress might have been set back indefinitely. As these quotes will demonstrate, Einstein was unafraid to challenge the established nature of reality. He was as willing to tap into his creative and imaginative intelligence as he was to dismiss the words of his critics. It was this man, with this mindset, who was able to uncover a true nature of reality that no one before him could have ever dreamed was possible. As such a remarkably brilliant being, it should perhaps come as no surprise that Einstein left behind such a wealth of absolutely brilliant words to live by. Here are 33 Einstein quotes for a kinder, more creative, more passionate, more brilliant, and more empathetic world.
Creativity, imagination, & curiosity are invaluable
If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.
Albert Einstein
Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.
Albert Einstein
I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.
Albert Einstein
The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day.
Albert Einstein
I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.
Albert Einstein
Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions. Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Albert Einstein
If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.
Albert Einstein
Children hold the key to understanding
#8 “The ordinary adult never gives a thought to space-time problems…. I, on the contrary, developed so slowly that I did not begin to wonder about space and time until I was an adult. I then delved more deeply into the problem than any other adult or child would have done.”
#8 “The ordinary adult never gives a thought to space-time problems…. I, on the contrary, developed so slowly that I did not begin to wonder about space and time until I was an adult. I then delved more deeply into the problem than any other adult or child would have done.”
Science & Spirituality both have importance
#10 “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.”
Celebrate individuality
#11 “It is important for the common good to foster individuality: for only the individual can produce the new ideas which the community needs for its continuous improvement and requirements—indeed, to avoid sterility and petrification.”
Be Humbled by Knowledge
#12 “One thing I have learned in a long life: that all our science, measured against reality, is primitive and childlike—and yet it is the most precious thing we have.”
Be focused, be passionate
#13 “Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.
#14 “The state of mind which enables a man to do work of this kind … 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.”
#15 “Why is it that nobody understands me, and everybody likes me?”
#16 “Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character.”
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes
#17 “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”
Treat everyone equally
#18 “I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.”
Live in the moment
#19 “I never think of the future – it comes soon enough.”
Don’t please the crowd, change the world
#20 “Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value.”
Be an activist
#21 “The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.”
Never stop learning
#22 “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
#23 “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
#24 “You never fail until you stop trying.”
Think outside of the box
#25 “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”
#26 “Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy.”
#27 “Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”
Engage in your passions
#28 “Information is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience.”
#29 “Any fool can know. The point is to understand.”
Seek understanding and strive for perfection
#30 “You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”
Peace is a mindset
#31 “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”
Let no one stop you when you’re right
#32 “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”
Live life in radical amazement
#33 “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
