Einstein is one of the founders of current theoretical physics. However, in addition to science, the eminent scientist was also engaged in social activities, actively advocating for peace and respect for human rights. Einstein is the author of many different sayings about humanism, science and religion.
The great physicist and religion
Einstein's many phrases relate to such a field as belief in higher powers. At the same time, these quotes are the most mentioned in our time. Throughout his life, Einstein tried to explain how he understood God. The writer Walter Isaacson in his book about the great scientist describes an interesting case. Once in Berlin, a dinner party took place, where Einstein and his wife were also among those present. One of the guests said that he believed in astrology. The scientist laughed at this guest, saying that such beliefs are completely unfounded.
Another guest entered the conversation and began to speak scornfully about religion. The owner of the house tried to stop him, noting that Einstein also believed in God. The skeptic was surprised and turned to the scientist to find out: is he really religious. Einstein’s response phrase was: “Yes, you can call it that.” The great scientist emphasized that it is impossible to understand the laws of nature, using only the limited possibilities of man. Indeed, behind all those laws that science can distinguish, there is something elusive and absolutely incomprehensible. “Honoring this power is my religion,” the scientist replied.
Scientist's attitude to life
In ordinary situations, Einstein was always calm. Some considered him even inhibited. Smug cheerfulness was one of the scientist's favorite emotions. He did not pay attention to those things that he did not want to notice, and he did not take troubles seriously. This is evidenced by Einstein's phrases about happiness. "He who does not give in to deception does not know what happiness is." The scientist was sincerely convinced that life's inconveniences “resolve” from jokes. Einstein also believed that from a personal plan it is possible to translate these difficulties into a general one. For example, divorce can be compared with the grief that war brings to people. Einstein was helped to suppress emotional feelings by “Maxims” Laroshfuko. The scientist often reread them.
Einstein's Notes on Happiness
Not so long ago, Einstein’s “recipe for happiness” was filed at one of the auctions for an impressive amount of $ 1.56 million. The words of the great scientist are written on small pieces of paper that Einstein handed to the courier of a Tokyo hotel instead of a tip. When the messenger knocked on the room, the scientist didn’t have any trivialities to tip. Instead of money, Einstein decided to hand the courier a note on a piece of a notebook with the logo of this hotel. The note was written in German. It contains Einstein’s phrase about what happiness is for a person: “A calm and modest life will bring more happiness than the endless pursuit of success and the excitement that accompanies it."
Unusual habits
The scientist always remained concentrated - even when he was babysitting. He loved to relax, playing the light melodies of Mozart on the violin. And in order to remain independent of generally accepted opinions, the great scientist often locked himself up in solitude. This habit accompanied him from an early age. It is known that even Einstein learned to speak only at the age of 7. The great scientist built his own worlds, which could be contrasted with reality - this is the world of his family, the world of friends and like-minded people, a universe of scientific research.
Originality of utterances
Einstein’s unusual phrases were spoken by him in various life situations. In them, the scientist shone with his originality. For example, once Einstein was at a reception with the king of Belgium. After the tea party, a short amateur concert took place, in which the king’s wife also participated. When the concert came to an end, the scientist approached the queen and asked her a question: “Your Majesty, you played excellently. Please tell me why you also need the profession of the queen? ”
Opinion about science
The great scientist said that he believes in intuition and inspiration. Sometimes he was sure that he was on the right track, but this confidence could not be justified, since he proceeded from an intuitive understanding. In 1919, a solar eclipse confirmed one of his scientific speculations. The scientist wrote that he was not at all surprised by this; rather, Einstein would have been amazed if this had not happened. One of Albert Einstein’s catchphrases testifies to this position: “Imagination is more important than knowledge, for knowledge is limited.” It was the great scientist who considered the power of imagination to be the basis of the progress of civilization, as well as the source of evolution.
The scientist emphasized: "Strictly speaking, imagination is a real factor in scientific research." Science was one of the core values ​​of the scientist. “If you want to live a happy life, then you should be attached to the goal, not to people or things,” Einstein said.
The role of imagination in life
The basis for this belief was the idea that the whole world is a sort of ordered entity. And this belief is based on the religious feeling of the scientist, which reflected admiration for the universal order. This harmony prevails in that small part of the world that is accessible to human understanding.
Einstein emphasized that playing the violin and physical studies are completely different in origin. However, both music and science have the same goal - to express the unknown. As for the creative component, here the great scientist agreed with Schopenhauer. The philosopher believed that the strongest motive of creativity and science is the desire to break away from the monotony of weekdays, to find refuge in a new world filled with images created by man. Agreeing with Schopenhauer, Einstein emphasized: "This world can be woven from both musical notes and mathematical formulas."
Einstein phrases in English
Those readers who are interested in learning a foreign language will also be interested in quotes from the great scholar in English.
- All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree . This phrase can be translated as "All religions, sciences and arts are branches of the same tree."
- In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity . “Opportunities are at the center of difficulties.”
- Once you stop learning, you start dying. "As soon as you stop learning, you begin to die."
Family attitude
Albert Einstein’s phrase about marriage is also known: “What is marriage? This is the desire to create something reliable from a passing episode. ” As for the family life of the great scientist, relative stability characterized his second marriage. In fact, life with Elsa Einstein was for both the wife and the great scientist mutually beneficial cohabitation. Elsa was a fairly active woman who highly appreciated Einschnein's recognition and fame. When the scientist plunged headlong into work, it was Elsa who took on the basic cares of the house. She cooked Einstein's favorite dish - lentils with sausages, and forced him to go down from the office to eat.
The scientist’s marriage with Elsa, unlike the attempt to start a family with Mileva Marich, was stable and peaceful. Einstein, Elsa and her two daughters from their first marriage lived near the center of Berlin. Violating all existing building codes, they decided to rebuild the three attic rooms, turning them into one solid cabinet. So the great scientist also worked, creating his own equations. With their help, he hoped to give an explanation of the incomprehensible structure of an infinite cosmos. One of Einstein’s most famous phrases reflects his attitude to scientific research: “You can live as if miracles do not happen; or as if all life is a miracle. "
The brevity of the great explorer
For the great scientist, as for many ordinary people, faith in higher powers has become one of the most important sensations. It was this faith that generated in him conviction and humility, as well as the desire for public justice. The slightest signs of hierarchy or class differences caused the scientist disgust. As a result, Einstein was wary of excesses, sought to help refugees and the oppressed.
In one of the interviews with the scientist George Virek, Einstein was asked whether he believes in immortality. In response, one of Einstein’s catchphrases sounded: “No. One life is enough for me. ” The scientist has always sought to express himself as clearly as possible. This helped him and those who wanted to get clear answers from him on the most important questions of human existence.
Einstein on morality
Rather strictly a great scientist spoke about the changes that are taking place with humanity. Einstein wrote that people lose the desire for justice and dignity, forget about respect gained by previous generations at the cost of huge sacrifices. The great scientist said: “Morality is the basis of all human values. Awareness of this speaks of the greatness of Moses even in that primitive era. "